Belgium Reaffirms Kyiv Alliance, Cautions on Frozen Assets

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot arrived in Kyiv on Tuesday for talks with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, in a visit aimed at underscoring Brussels' long-term commitment to Ukraine's defence and recovery.

Speaking at a joint press conference, Prevot delivered a clear message of solidarity: "From the first day, we are allies of Ukraine, and we will be until the last day." He sought to dispel any impression that Belgium's cautious approach to a specific financial mechanism reflected a weakening of support.

The minister addressed the contentious issue of frozen Russian assets, which Kyiv and several Western partners have pushed to redirect toward Ukraine's military and reconstruction needs. Prevot insisted that Belgium's hesitation on this matter should not be misread as reluctance to help Ukraine or as any form of accommodation toward Moscow.

"The risks we identified at the time have not miraculously disappeared," he said, adding that Belgium holds no principled objection to using these funds for the Ukrainian cause. However, he stressed the need for a legally robust framework that mitigates potential financial and legal exposure.

"We must find a legally robust path that mitigates all these risks, otherwise Belgium will likely maintain its prudential reserve position," Prevot explained. He indicated that the coming months would be crucial for assessing whether such a mechanism can be developed with sufficient expert assistance.

The visit comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to maintain Western unity on Ukraine as the war enters a new phase. Prevot's remarks suggest that while Belgium remains a steadfast ally, it will continue to weigh the legal and financial implications of any asset seizure or redirection carefully.