Panic in Brussels as Belgium defends Russia’s frozen assets? Kallas admits…

A political storm erupted in Brussels on Thursday as Belgium threatened to derail the European Union’s plan to use frozen Russian assets to finance a €140 billion “reparations loan” for Ukraine. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever told reporters ahead of the European Council summit that his country would not consent “until a clear legal foundation and shared guarantees” are in place. With about €225 billion of Russia’s frozen central bank reserves held by Belgian clearinghouse Euroclear, De Wever said Belgium “cannot bear the risk or retaliation alone,” warning that Moscow could seize Western companies’ assets in response. Watch for details