Belgium's Deputy PM on EU's Ukraine Response, Frozen Assets, and Africa Relations

EU's Reactive Stance on Ukraine Peace Plan

• 🇪🇺 The EU has been caught off guard by Donald Trump's diplomatic initiatives, particularly his 28-point plan for peace in Ukraine, which is perceived in Kyiv and Brussels as heavily favoring the Kremlin.
• 🇺🇸 Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister, Maxime Prévot, notes that the EU often finds itself reacting to US initiatives rather than leading peace processes, using the analogy of the US choosing the restaurant while Europe pays the bill.
• 🤝 While commending the US initiative for a ceasefire, Prévot stresses the importance of ensuring both Ukraine and the EU are active participants in negotiations, not just observers.

Financial Support for Ukraine and Frozen Assets

• 💰 Belgium, holding the majority of frozen Russian assets in Euroclear, advocates for a classical European loan mechanism guaranteed by the European Commission, rather than confiscating sovereign assets.
• ⚖️ Prévot argues that confiscating assets based solely on political decisions, without judicial backing, sets a dangerous precedent with significant legal, financial, and systemic risks for Europe and the Eurozone.
• 🛡️ Belgium is ready to participate in a "coalition of the willing" to provide military support and financial aid to Ukraine, emphasizing the need for a "coalition of the billing" as well.

Belgium's Budgetary Reforms

• 🇧🇪 Belgium is undertaking significant reforms, including approximately 32 billion euros in budget adjustments this year, to address its high deficit and debt rate.
• ✅ The goal is to improve the budgetary situation and re-establish Belgium as a reliable partner within the Eurozone.

EU-Africa Relations and Global Gateway

• 🌍 Speaking on the EU-Africa summit, Prévot highlights the need for a new relationship based on mutual interest and trust, avoiding exploitative logic seen in the past.
• 🤝 Belgium has a long-standing involvement in Africa, recognizing its impressive economic development and demographic growth, and the need to address common challenges like climate change, health, and security.
• 🕊️ The EU must increase its involvement in Africa not only economically but also as a defender of international law and human rights, actively working to resolve conflicts.
• ⚠️ Prévot warns against the EU's inability to take strong positions due to a lack of unanimity, citing the Gaza issue, and stresses the need to avoid repeating this in Africa.