{"id":2502751,"date":"2025-10-24T13:26:01","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T17:26:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/eu-postpones-russian-asset-seizure-scheme\/"},"modified":"2025-10-24T13:27:50","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T17:27:50","slug":"eu-postpones-russian-asset-seizure-scheme","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/eu-postpones-russian-asset-seizure-scheme\/","title":{"rendered":"EU postpones Russian asset seizure scheme"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">12<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Feu-postpones-russian-asset-seizure-scheme%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2502751&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The European Union has postponed its plan to use frozen Russian assets to fund a $163 billion war loan for Ukraine, delaying the initiative until at least December. Although EU member states remain committed to financially supporting Ukraine&#8217;s military and defense thru 2027, concerns-particularly from Belgium-about legal and financial risks linked to the use of Russian assets held by institutions like Belgium-based Euroclear have caused the delay. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has demanded risk-sharing measures among EU countries to mitigate potential repercussions. Meanwhile, Russia has threatened legal retaliation against the EU if the &#8220;reparations loan&#8221; proceeds. Concurrently, the United States, under President Donald Trump, has imposed new sanctions on major Russian oil companies to weaken Moscow&#8217;s ability to fund its war efforts, a move criticized by Russian President Vladimir Putin as counterproductive but one that he downplays the overall economic impact.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">EU postpones Russian asset seizure scheme with Belgium afraid of being left holding the bag<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2381497\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Member states of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/european-union\/\">European Union<\/a> have committed to funding <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ukraine\/\">Ukraine<\/a> through 2027, but they have temporarily abandoned plans to leverage frozen Russian assets into a war loan.<\/p>\n<p>The European Council affirmed its intention to inject funds into Ukraine&rsquo;s military and defense budget in early 2026, but the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/2865923\/give-100-billion-frozen-russian-assets-ukraine\/\">$163 billion loan<\/a> intended to be financed by Russian accounts held in European financial institutions was scrapped &mdash; at least until December.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3861992\/rubio-significant-obstacles-press-conference-netanyahu-knesset\/\">Rubio notes &#8216;significant obstacles&#8217; in cold press conference with Netanyahu following Knesset debacle<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3861283\/pope-prays-british-monarch-first-time-since-english-reformation\/\">Pope prays with British monarch for first time since English Reformation, Charles gets papal seat of honor<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3861244\/russia-calls-us-sanctions-counterproductive-ukraine-celebrates\/\">Russia calls new US sanctions &#8216;entirely counterproductive&#8217; as Ukraine celebrates decision<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;The European Council commits to address Ukraine&rsquo;s pressing financial needs for 2026-2027, including for its military and defense efforts,&rdquo; the body said in a statement at the conclusion of their conference. &ldquo;The European Council invites the Commission to present, as soon as possible, options for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/illinois-democrats-defend-state-budget-amid-republican-criticism\/\" title=\"Illinois Democrats uphold state budget against Republican critiques\">financial support based<\/a> on an assessment of Ukraine&rsquo;s financing needs.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The headquarters of Euroclear in Brussels on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. (AP Photo\/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;Russia&rsquo;s assets should remain immobilized until Russia ceases its war of aggression against Ukraine and compensates it for the damage caused by its war,&rdquo; the statement clarified.<\/p>\n<p>This is a significant alteration from previous drafts that would have called on the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/europe\/\">European Commission<\/a> to &ldquo;present as soon as possible, based on an assessment of Ukraine&rsquo;s financing needs, concrete proposals involving the possible gradual use of the cash balances associated with the immobilized Russian assets, in accordance with EU and international law.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Under the proposed &ldquo;reparations loan&rdquo; scheme, European nations liquidate Russian funds held within their borders, transform them into massive loans for the Ukrainian military, and allow Kyiv to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >post hypothetical war reparations<\/a> as collateral.<\/p>\n<p>This arrangement would keep the money in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/russia\/\">Russian ownership<\/a> while forcing the Kremlin to either pay reparations to free up the cash postwar or &ldquo;default&rdquo; on the loans entirely.<\/p>\n<p>The bulk of the Russian funds intended to be used are held by the Belgium-based financial institution Euroclear, and the Belgian government is afraid that this legally questionable scheme could come back to haunt it.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/belgium\/\">Belgian <\/a>Prime Minister Bart De Wever voiced skepticism over the plan unless other EU states met several requests to ensure &ldquo;full mutualization of the risk.&rdquo; These requests included the use of Russian funds held in financial institutions outside Belgium, shared responsibility for possible international court cases on the use of the funds, and shared responsibility for repayment of the loans if necessary.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;If you take the money and the market sees that there is no liquidity solution for when it goes wrong, you&rsquo;re immediately in trouble,&rdquo; De Wever said.<\/p>\n<p>The Kremlin has threatened to take action against the EU if the supranational organization follows through with its reparations loan.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Russian 240mm &ldquo;Tyulpan&rdquo; mortar fires toward Ukrainian positions on an undisclosed location in Ukraine on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Russian National Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitri Medvedev has threatened to take retaliatory action against &ldquo;European degenerates from Brussels&rdquo; through &ldquo;all possible international and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/eu-says-arresting-netanyahu-not-optional-as-members-waiver-on-warrant-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"... says arresting Netanyahu &#039;not optional&#039; as members waiver on ...rant- Washington Examiner\">national courts&#038;rdquo<\/a>; and &ldquo;in some cases, even out of court.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Russia is being hit with economic penalties from the United States following Russian President Vladimir Putin&rsquo;s latest false start in peace talks.<\/p>\n<p>President Donald Trump <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3861244\/russia-calls-us-sanctions-counterproductive-ukraine-celebrates\/\">rolled out sanctions<\/a> on two of Russia&rsquo;s largest oil producers &mdash; Rosneft and Lukoil &mdash; on Wednesday in a bid to &ldquo;degrade the Kremlin&rsquo;s ability to raise revenue for its war machine and support its weakened economy.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Given President Putin&rsquo;s refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russia&rsquo;s two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlin&rsquo;s war machine,&rdquo; Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.<\/p>\n<p>Trump made sure to clarify that the sanctions were a result of his frustration with Putin.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Every time I speak with Vladimir, I have good conversations, and then they don&rsquo;t go anywhere,&rdquo; Trump lamented on Wednesday as he rolled out his &ldquo;tremendous sanctions&rdquo; on the Kremlin.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/vladimir-putin\/\">Putin<\/a> acknowledged the penalties as an &ldquo;unfriendly act&rdquo; that &ldquo;does not strengthen Russia-U.S. relations, which have only just begun to recover.&rdquo; However, the Russian leader has tried to downplay the impact of the sanctions.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3861244\/russia-calls-us-sanctions-counterproductive-ukraine-celebrates\/\">RUSSIA CALLS NEW US SANCTIONS &lsquo;ENTIRELY COUNTERPRODUCTIVE&rsquo; AS UKRAINE CELEBRATES DECISION<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;[Sanctions] are serious for us, of course, that is clear. And they will have certain consequences, but they will not significantly impact our economic well-being,&rdquo; Putin said on Thursday.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the Security Council via video conference at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. (Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;The new U.S. sanctions are an attempt to put pressure on Russia,&rdquo; Putin told reporters. &ldquo;No self-respecting country ever does anything under pressure. Russia is a self-respecting country.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>EU delays Russian asset seizure plan amid Belgium&#8217;s concerns<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3468,"featured_media":2502754,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AP25296327136887.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[65849,39748,45325,4280,5036],"class_list":["post-2502751","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-asset-seizure","tag-eu","tag-postponement","tag-russia","tag-sanctions"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AP25296327136887.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2502751","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3468"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2502751"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2502751\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2502756,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2502751\/revisions\/2502756"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2502754"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2502751"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2502751"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2502751"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}