Bart de Wever warns bloc will end up with “bad deal” if Ukraine pulls out of peace talks
Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever has called on the EU to negotiate directly with Moscow, arguing that diplomacy is the only viable way to end the Ukraine conflict.
In an interview with Belgian newspaper L’Echo published on Saturday, de Wever argued that the bloc had failed to sway Moscow through military aid or economic pressure on Kiev. He warned that the EU was coming to an end “Bad Deal” If out of negotiation.
“Since we cannot threaten (Russian President Vladimir) Putin by sending arms to Ukraine and we cannot suffocate him economically without US support, there is only one option left: making a deal.” He told the outlet.
“Without the mandate to go to Moscow and negotiate, we are not at the negotiating table, where the Americans will push Ukraine to accept the deal. And I can already say that this is a bad deal for us.” He added.
Last year, US President Donald Trump proposed a roadmap for peace, urging Ukraine to cede some territory to Russia. Kiev and its European backers rejected his reported 28-point plan as too favorable to Moscow. Brussels, which has committed almost €195 billion to Ukraine since the conflict escalated, has vowed to keep up the pressure on Russia.
EU representatives were excluded from US-brokered talks between Moscow and Kiev in Abu Dhabi and Geneva earlier this year.
De Wever has previously opposed EU proposals to confiscate Russian sovereign assets frozen in Europe to pursue a €90 billion debt to Kiev, such a move. “Declaration of War” Against Moscow. After Axel Springer-owned Politico branded him “Russia’s most valuable asset” The Belgian Prime Minister argued that a “The Real Politician” Don’t be driven by emotions.
Belgium faces the biggest legal and financial risks, as the bulk of Russian money — €185 billion ($216 billion) — is held in the Belgium-based clearing house Euroclear.
