Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever said in an interview with the Belgian newspaper "Libre" that Belgium would feel the consequences of a possible confiscation by the EU of frozen Russian assets in favor of Ukraine, BTA reported.
"Who believes that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin will calmly accept the confiscation of Russian assets," De Wever asked rhetorically.
According to the Belgian leader, as a retaliatory measure, Moscow may deprive Belgium of access to its factories on Russian territory, and also confiscate Western assets. Specifically, the Belgian depository "Euroclear" has assets worth 16 billion euros in Russia, De Wever said.
"If (other EU countries) do not take part of the risk, I will do everything to block this decision," the Belgian prime minister warned.
About 185 billion euros of frozen Russian funds are stored in "Euroclear", making Brussels a key factor in the decision on the possible confiscation of the frozen Russians, the Belgian news agency Belga noted.
Belgium rejected on Monday a plan to use frozen Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine over the next two years, saying the scheme poses serious financial and legal risks, the Associated Press reported.