Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner from Belgium, stated that the European Union is not ready to confiscate frozen Russian assets, worth 140 billion euros, to provide Ukraine with a significant loan. She emphasized that more time is needed to assess legal risks and to ensure a fair allocation of responsibilities between Belgium, the other EU member states, and the G7.
Lahbib mentioned that some European countries holding these assets do not contribute sufficiently to supporting Ukraine, without naming them. Belgium, which holds the majority of these funds through Euroclear, has already used the generated interest to support Ukraine's efforts. The Commissioner emphasized that the assets are protected by international law, and the confiscation process would require a cautious approach. The European Commission is working on a plan to cover Ukraine's financial needs, and if the assets are used, they could support the country for at least two years.