Belgium has dared to consider its own financial stability—and, indeed, that of the euro—so the anti-sovereignty European Union establishment is preparing to kick it into shape.
In particular, officials are furious that Bart De Wever’s government remains opposed to confiscating frozen Russian assets—due to the inevitable “consequential economic, financial and legal risks”—to fund Ukraine.
As a result, the Brussels—that is, the EU, not the Belgian—establishment will attempt to ‘convince’ (code for force) De Wever to change tack by treating his country “like Hungary.” EU elite-friendly paper Politicoreported on Wednesday that the PM could “find himself in an uncomfortable … position,” citing “an EU diplomat with knowledge of the discussions taking place.”
The message to Belgium is that if it does not come on board, its diplomats, ministers and leaders will lose their voice around the EU table. Officials would put to the bottom of Belgium’s wishlist and concerns related to the EU’s long-term budget for 2028–2034, which would cause the government a major headache, particularly when negotiations get into the crucial final stretch in 18 months’ time.
National media outlets have described this as an “unprecedented threat for a founding member of the EU.”
Balázs Orbán, political director of the Hungarian prime minister, said this shoving showed “how fast pressure comes once a state diverges from Brussels” and was a “clear reminder” of “why Hungary stands by its national interests.”
⚠️🇭🇺 Hungary is often cast as the 🇪🇺EU’s “black sheep,” as if defending national interests were unusual. Belgium shows how fast pressure comes once a state diverges from Brussels. A paradox unfolds: Brussels now battles Brussels. 👉 A clear reminder why #Hungary stands by its… pic.twitter.com/CW9J98wdQS
European leaders are supposed to come to a decision on how to fill Ukraine’s funding gap by next Thursday, December 18th, but this looks increasingly unlikely.
Belgium has said it would be more willing to use the assets if the EU provided an “extra cash buffer” to protect it from the threat of Russia suing further down the line. This is bound to be opposed by at least one member state.
De Wever also stressed on Wednesday evening that while “the European states pushing for the confiscation of Russian assets in Belgium are mostly those bordering Russia,” experienced “Soviet tyranny and are psychologically still in a state of war,”
We are not at war with Russia. And we do not wish to be at war with Russia. In reality, you don’t steal money from a foreign central bank. Robbing a central bank is like robbing an embassy.
"Als de EU een beslissing neemt die op gespannen voet staat met de wettigheid, geen steek houdt en grote risico's inhoudt voor dit land, dan kan ik geen enkele stap uitsluiten. Er zijn andere oplossingen mogelijk", zegt premier @Bart_DeWever. 👇 #vtmnieuwspic.twitter.com/UM0lpPgVAN
Michael Curzon is a news writer for europeanconservative.com based in England’s Midlands. He is also Editor of Bournbrook Magazine, which he founded in 2019, and previously wrote for London’s Express Online. His Twitter handle is @MichaelCurzon_.
