Attempts to force the decision to confiscate Russia's frozen assets by a qualified majority will undermine solidarity within the community, Euractiv portal reports, citing European diplomats and officials.
As the portal writes, this will undermine solidarity within the bloc and further strengthen the internal political positions of Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Vever, who opposed this decision and would create a disastrous precedent, so that any member state of the size of Belgium could find itself at a disadvantage compared to larger countries if it obstructed the overall majority.
Euractiv notes that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his supporters are bluffing in this situation, as both he and the EU leadership understand that going ahead without Belgium's plan would delegitimize the entire scheme, especially given the concerns of countries such as Italy and the Czech Republic.
Even if Brussels decides to take this step, it is still not clear whether Belgium or the international depository Euroclear will comply, the portal writes. Politico previously reported that the EU is considering giving Ukraine access to frozen Russian assets, bypassing Belgium's position.
