Good afternoon.
It's crunch time for the EU, and by extension, Belgium. The EU summit at the end of this week has a packed agenda of crucial topics – but none more so than frozen Russian assets and what to do with them.
The problem for the EU, and specifically President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, is that for one, Belgium has a point about not wanting to be hung out to dry. Secondly, increasing numbers of Member States – including "heavyweights" like Italy – are siding with Prime Minister Bart De Wever (N-VA) and calling for a plan B.
De Wever's star is rising over this, while VDL's lack of leadership and inability to rally a coalition seems increasingly brought into stark relief. It seems inconceivable that the assets won't be released and used for Ukraine's war effort.
But it's also incomprehensible that the EU and von der Leyen have let it get to this point. They have known that this is an issue that needs solving for many, many months. Yet here we are, with three days to go before a decision supposedly has to be made, and one of the most loyal and "EU-minded" of all your Member States is being derided and cast as the villain of the piece.
It's vitally important that we remember who the real villain is here: Russia, for their unprovoked attack on a sovereign country. The other offender in this debacle is the EU Commission, for its singular failure to deal with this issue in a realistic, decisive and fair way when it comes to Belgium.
Oh, and the ultimate winner out of all of this? You guessed it – President Putin. Once again, Europe has exceeded all expectations he may have had of it – so at least that's something we can be proud of.
To lighten the mood in a dark week, don't forget that together with our friends at Full Circle Brussels, we are hosting a Christmas Quiz this Tuesday 16 December. Make sure to reserve your space here. There will be prizes as usual.
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1. Everything you need to know about Russia’s frozen assets as EU leaders prepare for crunch meeting
What is the case for seizing Moscow’s assets, and why is Belgium so strongly opposed to the EU’s plan to unlock them? Read more.
2. Strike in Brussels and Wallonia today: What disruptions to expect?
The disruptions on Monday are limited to the French-speaking community and will affect specific sectors impacted by the latest budget cuts. Read more.
3. Just outside of Brussels, Belgians are discovering international education
Children from expat families have been getting world-class education at St. John's International School for decades. Now, Belgian families want in. Read more.
4. Russian central bank files lawsuit seeking €200 billion from Euroclear
The information, reported by the Russian news agency Tass, was announced just days before EU leaders are set to meet to discuss Russian Frozen assets. Read more.
5. How does Belgium rank for mobile internet speed?
Europe leads internet browsing on mobile phones in 2025, with the United States ranking below the top 10. Read more.
6. How is Galerie Bortier faring after its controversial transformation?
A year since the arcade's transformation from sleepy covered passage for book lovers to busy food hall, The Brussels Times paid a visit to the Galerie Bortier to see what people think of the changes. Read more.
7. How Belgium’s railways fuelled the Nazi war machine
When German troops swept into Belgium in May 1940, the trains stopped only briefly. Read more.
