Belgium Blocks EU's Ukraine Aid Plan Over Russian Asset Liability Fears

• EU leaders propose using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's defense and reconstruction, aiming for a €90 billion loan.
• Belgium, home to Euroclear which holds 70% of frozen Russian assets, resists the plan due to fears of financial liability from potential Russian lawsuits.
• Belgian PM Bart De Wever warns his country could be liable for principal and hefty penalties if Russia wins international court cases.
• De Wever sets three conditions: full risk sharing among all EU members with open-ended guarantees, Euroclear's immediate ability to honor legal claims, and participation from all EU/G7 nations holding Russian assets.
• Experts suggest Belgium's risks are primarily political and reputational, not financial, but De Wever seeks "compromises" to spread the risk.

Why It Matters: Belgium's liability concerns over frozen Russian assets stall EU's Ukraine funding plan, demanding shared risk.