Sorry, Kotkin, but those $200M-odd frozen Russian assets should stay in the Euroclear securities repository in Belgium for now, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said today, adding that seizing them to benefit Ukraine would raise legal issues. www.reuters.com/world/belgia...
200 billion*
"Other countries will also withdraw their state funds. This will have systemic consequences... [...] It's like a goose that lays golden eggs. We should keep this goose. And in the end, when we talk about a peace treaty, then the goose can be put on the table."
Would you know the real reason : For the first half of 2025, frozen Russian assets generated €650 million in tax revenue for the Belgian state. X2 X3 years = €3.3 billion. Don't kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.
Belgium uses that money for aid to Ukraine.
Billion not Million...
ah whoops
Belgium should change its laws then. Other countries seem to be able to access these assets without worrying about legalities.
I've heard speculation they've already been dipping into it because they're all broke, and they would have to come up with money to make it whole. Any idea if that's true?