{"id":2522549,"date":"2025-12-18T06:44:02","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T11:44:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/belgium-demands-ironclad-guarantees-of-protection-as-eu-leaders-weigh-a-massive-loan-for-ukraine\/"},"modified":"2025-12-18T06:47:10","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T11:47:10","slug":"belgium-demands-ironclad-guarantees-of-protection-as-eu-leaders-weigh-a-massive-loan-for-ukraine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/belgium-demands-ironclad-guarantees-of-protection-as-eu-leaders-weigh-a-massive-loan-for-ukraine\/","title":{"rendered":"Belgium demands ironclad guarantees of protection as EU leaders weigh a massive loan for Ukraine"},"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\">30<\/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%2Fbelgium-demands-ironclad-guarantees-of-protection-as-eu-leaders-weigh-a-massive-loan-for-ukraine%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=2522549&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>belgium has demanded strong legal guarantees to protect itself from potential Russian retaliation before supporting a massive European Union loan to Ukraine. At a high-level EU summit, leaders from the 27-member bloc are considering using tens of billions of euros from frozen Russian assets-around 193 billion euros held mainly in the Brussels-based euroclear financial clearing house-to fund UkraineS military and financial needs over the next two years. Belgium fears that Russia could target it legally or economically and prefers borrowing on international markets rather. It also wants guarantees that other <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/former-trump-advisor-government-set-to-release-150-trillion-asset-to-public\/\" title=\"Former Trump Advisor: &#039;Government ... to Release 0 Trillion As... to Public&#039;\">frozen assets held<\/a> in other EU countries will be included, and that Euroclear will be financially protected against Russian lawsuits.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the European Commission proposing safeguards, Belgian officials remain unconvinced.Belgium has affirmed its continued support for Ukraine but insists on these protections first. Other EU countries, including Hungary and Slovakia, oppose the reparations loan plan. Meanwhile, European leaders emphasize the urgency of supporting Ukraine, with estimates that the country needs around 137 billion euros to avoid bankruptcy amid the ongoing war with Russia.Negotiations continue to try to resolve concerns and reach a consensus on funding Ukraine using frozen Russian assets.  <\/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\">Belgium demands ironclad guarantees of protection as EU leaders weigh a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/oversight-republicans-probe-biden-backed-solar-firm-over-its-political-donations-to-democrats\/\" title=\"Oversight Republicans Probe Biden-Backed Solar Firm Over Its Political Donations To Democrats\">massive loan<\/a> for Ukraine<\/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_2448255\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>BRUSSELS (AP) &mdash; Belgium insisted on Thursday that its European Union partners must provide ironclad guarantees that it will be protected from Russian retaliation before it would back a&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/europe-russia-frozen-assets-ukraine-reparations-loan-0c0537fbc4a1fb9da852a9bdd73998a9\">massive loan<\/a>&nbsp;for Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>At a high-stakes EU summit in Brussels, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/eu-fines-x-140-million-risking-the-ire-of-trump\/\" title=\"EU fines X 0 million, risking the ire of Trump\">27-nation bloc&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s leaders are set to decide on whether to use tens of billions of euros in frozen&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/eu-russia-frozen-assets-ukraine-war-a65c92625cab565da7b8e07013dead05\">Russian assets<\/a>&nbsp;to underwrite a loan to meet Ukraine&rsquo;s military and financial needs over the next two years.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3925590\/us-announces-largest-weapons-sale-to-taiwan-in-its-history\/\">US <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >announces largest weapons sale<\/a> to Taiwan in its history<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3919151\/tpusa-americafest-post-charlie-kirk-death\/\">TPUSA looks to draw a line under &#8216;contentious&#8217; few months with AmericaFest: &#8216;Time to get to work&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3924986\/beijing-panama-canal-us-venezuela-operations-threaten-china-hold-south-america\/\">Beijing bares teeth over Panama Canal as US operations further threaten China&#8217;s hold in region<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The bulk of the assets &mdash; some 193 billion euros ($227 billion) as of September &mdash; are held in the Brussels-based financial clearing house Euroclear. Russia&rsquo;s Central Bank&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/russia-frozen-assets-belgium-eu-euroclear-sanctions-b378cb2bf74bd79175930b8ca991c1cc\">sued Euroclear<\/a>&nbsp;last week.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Give me a parachute and we&rsquo;ll all jump together,&rdquo; De Wever told members of the Belgian parliament just before the summit began. &ldquo;If we have confidence in the parachute that shouldn&rsquo;t be a problem.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-belgium-raises-its-concerns-as-it-faces-russian-pressure\">Belgium raises its concerns as it faces Russian pressure<\/h2>\n<p>Belgium fears that Russia will strike back and would prefer that the bloc borrow the money on international markets. It wants frozen assets held in other European countries to be thrown into the pot as well, and for its partners to guarantee that Euroclear will have the funds it needs should it come under legal attack.<\/p>\n<p>European officials say Russia is waging a&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/projects\/russian-europe-sabotage\/\">campaign of sabotage<\/a>&nbsp;and disruption across the continent. The Central Bank lawsuit ramped up pressure on Belgium and its European partners ahead of the summit.<\/p>\n<p>The &ldquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/eu-postpones-russian-asset-seizure-scheme\/\" title=\"EU postpones ...n as... seizure scheme\">reparations loan&#038;rdquo<\/a>; plan would see the EU give 90 billion euros ($106 billion) to Ukraine. Countries like the U.K., Canada and Norway would make up any shortfall.<\/p>\n<p>Russia&rsquo;s claim to the assets would still stand, but the assets would remain locked away at least until the Kremlin ends its war on Ukraine and pays for the massive damage it&rsquo;s caused over four years of war.<\/p>\n<p>In mapping out the loan plan, the European Commission set up safeguards to protect Belgium, but De Wever remains unconvinced.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I have not yet seen a text that could satisfactorily address Belgium&rsquo;s concerns,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I hope to see one today.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>De Wever insisted that Belgium remains &ldquo;a faithful ally&rdquo; of Ukraine and wants to continue to help.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-allies-maintain-support-for-ukraine\">Allies maintain support for Ukraine<\/h2>\n<p>Whatever method they use, the leaders have pledged to meet most of Ukraine&rsquo;s needs for the next two years. The International Monetary Fund estimates that would amount to 137 billion euros ($160 billion). The&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/russia-ukraine\">war-ravaged country<\/a>&nbsp;is at risk of bankruptcy and needs the money by spring.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We have to find a solution today,&rdquo; European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters. &ldquo;We will not leave the European Council without a solution for the funding of Ukraine for the next two years.&rdquo; EU Council President Ant&oacute;nio Costa, who is chairing the meeting, has vowed to keep leaders negotiating until an agreement is reached, even if it takes days.<\/p>\n<p>Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said: &ldquo;Now we have a simple choice. Either money today or blood tomorrow.&rdquo; He insisted that &ldquo;all European leaders have to rise to the occasion.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>EU envoys have worked around the clock in recent weeks to&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/europe-russia-frozen-assets-reparations-loan-ukraine-a40f58d3e17bc1dc89246a528ab1ba16\">flesh out the details and narrow differences<\/a>&nbsp;among the 27 member countries. If enough countries object, the plan could be blocked. There is no majority support for a plan B of raising the funds on international markets.<\/p>\n<p>German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that he hopes Belgium&rsquo;s concerns can be addressed.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The reactions of the Russian president in recent hours show how necessary this is. In my view, this is indeed the only option. We are basically faced with the choice of using European debt or Russian assets for Ukraine, and my opinion is clear: we must use the Russian assets.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/3908503\/trump-national-security-stategy-ending-russia-ukraine-war\/\">TRUMP NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY PUTS ENDING RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR AS &lsquo;CORE INTEREST&rsquo;<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/eu-russia-frozen-assets-ukraine-war-a65c92625cab565da7b8e07013dead05\">Hungary and Slovakia<\/a>&nbsp;oppose von der Leyen&rsquo;s plan for a reparations loan. Apart from Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy and Malta are also undecided.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I would not like a European Union in war,&rdquo; said Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb&aacute;n, who sees himself as a peacemaker. He&rsquo;s also Russian President Vladimir Putin&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/russia-ukraine-war-putin-orban-energy-eca23e36f25c76685c26e96042b39878\">closest ally<\/a>&nbsp;in Europe. &ldquo;To give money means war.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Orb&aacute;n described the loan plan as &ldquo;a dead end,&rdquo; and said that &ldquo;the whole idea is a stupid one.&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>Belgium demands strong protection guarantees before backing Ukraine loan<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2634,"featured_media":2522550,"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\/12\/EU-Belgium-Ukraine.webp?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[20896,50423,8248,69006,6991],"class_list":["post-2522549","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-belgium","tag-eu-leaders","tag-loan","tag-protection-guarantees","tag-ukraine"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/EU-Belgium-Ukraine.webp?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2522549","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\/2634"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2522549"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2522549\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2522553,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2522549\/revisions\/2522553"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2522550"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2522549"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2522549"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2522549"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}