Belgium is champion in freezing Russian assets. The country has now frozen 200 billion euros of Russian funds and assets. This was stated by Belgian premier Alexander de Croo during a press conference on the second day of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. ‘In fact, you see Ukraine becoming part of us, the European Union, NATO. Without the members really being present,” De Croo told BNR Europe reporter Geert Jan Hahn.
On the second day of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo proudly points to the 200 billion euros of Russian funds and assets that the country has frozen. Belgium is champion in freezing Russian assets. We will see how to use the proceeds for the reconstruction of Ukraine.’
According to Hahn, today there is talk of “security guarantees” for Ukraine and of bilateral talks. Prime Minister De Croo also spoke to Zelenski: about Belgian support for Ukrainian pilots, about the freezing of Russian assets and also about the first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council.
“Everyone sees Ukraine as a partner”
According to De Croo, this Council has three dimensions: humanitarian support, the prospect of membership and the security measures now being provided to it, and “a political dimension between NATO countries and Ukraine”. According to De Croo, this means that Ukraine can ‘meet on an equal footing with us’. He calls it “extraordinary” how Ukraine became “part of the EU and NATO” in a year and a half.
Precarious balance
De Croo underlines how much the West, the EU and NATO must perform a balancing act in order not to enter into direct conflict with a Russia that interprets and presents every NATO activity as a threat and an escalation. “It’s a delicate balance. On the other hand, our support for Ukraine is not a direct threat to Russia. We are not at war with Russia on their own soil. In part, Russia tries to twist our message a little every time. But it’s a delicate balance.”
When asked if De Croo Zelenski ‘spoke of courage’, the prime minister replies that it is not necessary. He underlines the enormous perseverance of the Ukrainian president and defines him as “someone who very often manages to convince European and NATO countries of things we are initially hesitant about”. Like the first tanks and now the F-16 fighters.
De Croo therefore says he has a lot of respect for Zelenski, even if he sometimes has to be slowed down. “But don’t drag us into that war. This is the very delicate balance that we must strike. Full support for a country at war with Russia: yes. But we must do everything we can to avoid getting involved in that war as NATO countries.”
G7 Defense Program
De Croo expects from the G7 “a sort of defense programme” that goes beyond the current ad hoc arms deliveries. Controlled military equipment has certainly helped, says De Croo, but now “multi-year programs (…) that have an industrial dimension” will be examined.
In short: a long-term structure of security guarantees with an industrial component. ‘Indeed, you see Ukraine becoming part of us. From the European Union. From NATO. Without the belonging really being there. Who would have thought that seventeen years ago? Who would have believed it?’
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Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
