Belgium blocks EU plan to fund Ukraine with frozen Russian assets

The European Union has postponed a decision to use frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine’s defence, after Belgium blocked a proposal to advance a €140bn loan backed by immobilised funds held in Brussels. The plan would allow Ukraine to access immediate financial support, repaid only if Russia agrees to pay reparations. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever raised concerns over legal risks and demanded guarantees that other EU states would share the financial burden if Russia retaliated.