Belgium Rejects Renewed EU Push to Fund Ukraine With Frozen Assets

Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken stated that utilizing €200 billion ($232 billion) in immobilized Russian assets to support Ukraine remains “non-negotiable,” pushing back against a renewed effort by Sweden, Poland, the Netherlands, and Spain. Speaking on television, Francken warned Baltic nations against cornering Belgium over the issue, given the assets are largely held at the Belgian clearinghouse Euroclear.