Overview
- The German chancellor and the European Commission president are in Brussels to persuade Prime Minister Bart De Wever to back the plan, with talks ongoing and no agreement announced.
- About €185 billion in Russian central-bank reserves are frozen at Euroclear, and the Commission proposes a reparations-linked loan facility of up to €210 billion for Ukraine.
- Belgium demands a binding commitment from all EU states to cover potential liabilities and provide liquidity, citing risks of Russian claims or retaliatory expropriations.
- Germany has signaled willingness to guarantee the scheme, while other capitals have not, and Merz postponed a planned trip to Norway to join the Brussels negotiations.
- Merz publicly rejected ideas from Washington to channel a large share of the assets to the United States, stating the funds must support Ukraine.