During a joint briefing in The Hague, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo shared new details about how Belgium is channeling frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. Speaking alongside Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, De Croo confirmed that roughly 200 million euros, drawn from assets seized in Belgium, have been earmarked specifically for Ukraine’s defense and for humanitarian relief efforts benefiting Ukrainian refugees residing in Belgium. He expressed confidence that this financial path could extend further as the situation develops and as oversight evolves under EU governance, underscoring Belgium’s commitment to contributing to Ukraine’s security and resilience.
De Croo noted that approximately 180 billion euros of assets belonging to the Russian Central Bank are currently frozen within Belgium. He explained that Belgian authorities, in coordination with the European Commission, are actively examining mechanisms and legal avenues to utilize portions of these holdings to bolster military support for Ukraine and to assist in the broader reconstruction and stabilisation efforts that would follow the wartime period. The emphasis remains on ensuring that the funds support concrete, strategic objectives in security and recovery rather than remaining idle assets, with ongoing discussions intended to align with European Union rules and the expectations of partner nations.
Earlier reporting from Bloomberg was cited in the discussion, with De Croo suggesting that Russia could begin reallocating foreign exchange reserves for international purchases starting in May, a possibility that observers say could influence currency markets and the broader financial calculus surrounding sanctions policies. The remarks reflect a wider debate among European governments about how best to leverage frozen assets in a way that sustains pressure on Moscow while reinforcing the resilience and defense capacities of Ukraine and allied nations.