EditBart De Wever: Belgium’s unlikely hero in the EU’s Ukraine funding saga
Even international observers credit the Belgian PM with averting a "historical mistake" that could erode trust in European finance
In the aftermath of the European Union summit of 19 December, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has emerged as a celebrated figure in his homeland’s media landscape.
De Wever is a prominent Flemish nationalist politician who serves as Prime Minister of Belgium since February, previously leading the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) party from 2004 to 2025 while advocating for greater autonomy for Flanders and the transformation of Belgium into a confederal state.
Hailed as a defender of legal prudence and national interests, De Wever’s steadfast opposition to tapping frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s aid has not only reshaped EU policy but also turned him into a symbol of resistance against bureaucratic overreach. Belgian newspapers and broadcasters, from Flemish outlets like De Standaard to French-language papers such as Le Soir, have applauded his performance, portraying him as a “master negotiator” who outmaneuvered the EU’s heavyweights.
This domestic adulation comes amid a broader narrative of triumph, where De Wever avoided what he called a “big gamble” on Russia’s immobilized funds while securing a €90 billion loan package for Kyiv – albeit without direct reliance on those assets.
The summit, held in Brussels, was a high-stakes affair aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s war effort against Russia. EU leaders, grappling with the fallout from Russia’s invasion, sought to unlock funds from approximately €260 billion in frozen Russian central bank assets, much of which is held by Belgium’s Euroclear clearing house.
De Wever warned that using these assets could expose Belgium to massive legal liabilities, including lawsuits from Moscow and potential capital flight from global investors wary of asset seizures.
“A whole lot of these funds are immobilized in Brussels, at Euroclear,” he emphasized, arguing that the move risked undermining the euro’s credibility as a safe haven currency.
His veto forced a compromise: a €90 billion loan funded through joint EU borrowing, with interest from the assets potentially covering repayments later – a solution that sidestepped immediate confiscation.
Critics like German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pushed for bolder action, but De Wever’s coalition-building with what could be described as a silent majority of EU nations secured unanimity on the alternative plan (Hungary, Czechia and Slovakia opted out, but didn’t oppose).
In a subtle jab at German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who had vigorously championed the controversial “reparations loan” backed by frozen Russian assets, De Wever declared after the EU summit: “Today, we proved that the voice of small and medium-sized member states also counts. Decisions in Europe are not simply driven by the biggest capitals.”
De Wever’s victory extended beyond policy into a public relations coup, particularly in his clash with Politico. Earlier in December, the outlet branded Belgium as “Russia’s most valuable asset” in a scathing article, accusing De Wever of inadvertently aiding Moscow by blocking the asset raid.
The label stung, drawing parallels to pro-Russian sympathizers and igniting controversy. At the post-summit press conference, De Wever turned the tables on a Politico journalist questioning the deal’s implications for EU unity. With biting sarcasm, he quipped, “I like that one a lot,” referring to the “Russia’s asset” moniker, before adding that realpolitik demands setting aside “emotions of pure anger, vengeance, and maybe even violence.”
He dismissed the reporter’s concerns about division, noting the unanimous decision, and jested, “But now I have to go to my dacha in St. Petersburg. My neighbor is Depardieu and across the street there is Assad. Maybe I could become mayor of this little village and maybe that could be your title.”
Belgium PM Bart De Wever clashed with Politico after being labeled “Russia’s most valuable asset”:
"Now I have to go to my dacha in Saint Petersburg… maybe that could be your title." 🤣 pic.twitter.com/R4bO16zpru
— Marta Havryshko (@HavryshkoMarta) December 19, 2025
The exchange, captured on video, went viral, showcasing De Wever’s wit and composure under fire.
The Belgian press seized on this moment, framing it as a masterful rebuttal that reclaimed the narrative, with De Standaard praising his “diplomatic triumph”.
Even French-speaking media, often critical of the Flemish nationalist, lauded his defence of international law, with La Dernière Heure/Les Sports titling “Emperor De Wever”.
(De Wever, a trained historian, is renowned for his deep fascination with the history of the Roman Empire, particularly the transition from Republic to Empire under figures like Julius Caesar and Augustus, often drawing parallels in his speeches, interviews, and political rhetoric while peppering them with Latin quotations.)
Social media amplified the applause, with hashtags like #DeWeverHero trending. Users from across Belgium shared clips of the presser, praising his “epic roast” of Politico and hailing him as a “new European leader” who put warmongers in their place.
One X post captured the sentiment: “De Wever asserts himself as a dominant figure in Europe, defending caution in the face of escalation.”
Even international observers, including Irish and Dutch commentators, echoed the praise, crediting him with averting a “historical mistake” that could erode trust in European finance.
Yet, not all reactions were unanimous. Some EU diplomats anonymously lamented that De Wever’s stance might invite future Russian leverage.
Nonetheless, for Belgium, De Wever’s summit performance has solidified his image as a pragmatic hero. In a divided Europe, his blend of legal caution and sharp rhetoric has won the day, proving that sometimes, saying “no” can be the boldest move of all.
Caption: Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever speaks to the media at the end of the first day at the EU Council Summit in Brussels, Belgium, 19 December 2025. EU leaders were meeting to discuss the latest developments in Ukraine, the EU’s next multiannual financial framework, the EU enlargement process, and the geoeconomic situation in the European Union. EPA/OLIVIER HOSLET
Updated: December 21, 2025 - 09:30
