Belgian PM shocks Europe with call for deal with Putin
Prime Minister of Belgium Bart De Wever (photo: Getty Images)
Belgian prime minister believes the European Union is currently incapable of forcing Russia to retreat either militarily or economically and has called for the bloc to receive a mandate to hold direct negotiations with the Kremlin, L'Echo reports.
According to De Wever, without full support from the United States, Europe cannot economically strangle Russia or effectively arm Ukraine for victory. He also suggested that Washington's current policy appears ambiguous.
He said that since the EU cannot threaten Russian leader Putin by sending weapons to Ukraine and cannot economically strangle him without the support of the United States, there is only one method left—to make a deal.
The Belgian prime minister also warned that Washington sometimes appears closer to Putin than to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, adding that if the EU does not obtain its own mandate for negotiations, the United States could impose a deal that would be bad for Europe.
European Union's stance
De Wever's remarks sharply contrast with the position of EU leadership. Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, has argued that Europe must first define joint maximalist demands toward Russia—such as reducing its armed forces—before entering any negotiations.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also warned that the way the war ends will have a long-term impact on Europe's role in the world, stressing that Russia is not actually winning despite claims from its propaganda.
De Wever's controversial reputation
The current Belgian prime minister is known for his skeptical stance toward tough restrictions on Moscow. Previously, he blocked initiatives to seize frozen Russian assets.
Media reports have also repeatedly pointed to alleged business links between the politician and Russian structures, adding political controversy to his calls for peace with Russia.
Disputes over Russian assets
At the end of 2025, during debates over the seizure of Russian assets, De Wever sparked controversy by stating that Belgium believed Russia would not lose the war in Ukraine. He argued that the assets might eventually have to be returned to Moscow after the war.
He also claimed that Russia had openly threatened Belgium with "eternal retaliation" if the assets were confiscated.
Therefore, Ukraine did not receive a loan backed by Russian assets, as Belgium raised repeated objections. De Wever argued such steps could lead to serious economic and geopolitical consequences.
However, the situation has drawn further scrutiny. Some media outlets have linked De Wever to Russian interests, citing his numerous visits to Russia before 2022.
Moreover, suspicions have grown within the EU that Belgium may be retaining revenues generated from frozen Russian assets rather than transferring them to Ukraine. Some European countries have even accused Belgium of imposing excessive conditions regarding the protection of those assets.
