I was surprised by this really. Especially since he normally is a Ukraine supporter.
4
☆ Yσɠƚԋσʂ ☆ - 2w
just underscores how phenomenally bad idea this is
4
Maeve - 2w
“In the very probable event Russia is ultimately not officially the losing party, it will, as history has shown in other cases, be legitimately asking for its sovereign assets to be returned,” De Wever continued in the letter.
The Belgian leader restated the loan would trigger mayhem in the EU’s financial markets and expose EU taxpayers to repaying the full amount if the assets are returned to Russia.
Instead of tapping the Russian reserves, De Wever suggested that the European Commission issue €45 billion in joint debt to cover Ukraine’s financial needs in 2026 ― an idea that is unpopular among most EU governments because it involves using taxpayer money.
Does the EU's reticence mean:
They know fully well this is illegal?
They know fully well Russia is winning?
They fear greater austerity will trigger massive protests?
Or are they saving it as an attempt for public complacency to introduce more austerity?
They know the billionaires want the win without the billionaires having to pay for it?
Some combination? Which and why?
3
☆ Yσɠƚԋσʂ ☆ - 2w
They know it's illegal, and their frantic search for legal loopholes is an admission of guilt. But they're not rational actors, Russia has become the EU's White Whale. They rationally understand that seizing sovereign assets would be self destruction. It would shatter the foundation of the EU as a safe financial jurisdiction to park your money in and trigger capital flight from Europe. They know they are risking the entire ship.
Yet they cannot let the whale go. They have invested too much prestige and capital in this pursuit. To stop now would be to admit that the entire costly venture has failed. It would mean facing the political hell of funding the war through their own taxpayers or accepting a negotiated peace that shatters the myth of Western invincibility.
So they are trapped. Their rational mind screams about the danger, but their obsession drives them forward. They would rather risk dragging the entire European project into the depths than admit defeat and let the whale swim free.
6
Maeve - 2w
I agree, and white whale is a perfect analogy here. I suspect their ultrawealthy are pressing them to pursue this without having to fund a dime from their own coffers, although I doubt it matters to them the actual winners and losers as much as entertainment values, but I'm sleepy and shooting from the hip.
3
☆ Yσɠƚԋσʂ ☆ - 2w
Yeah the wealthy are obviously going to be able to protect their assets, and another factor is that they're using this to drive austerity which benefits them in the long run.
3
Maeve - 2w
Yep. Everything I listed is what I think is going on, and probably much more, and more sinister.
yogthos in europe
Belgium’s De Wever dials up opposition to Russian frozen assets deal
https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-vladimir-putin-assets-belgium-bart-de-wever-dials-up-opposition/I was surprised by this really. Especially since he normally is a Ukraine supporter.
just underscores how phenomenally bad idea this is
Does the EU's reticence mean:
They know fully well this is illegal?
They know fully well Russia is winning?
They fear greater austerity will trigger massive protests?
Or are they saving it as an attempt for public complacency to introduce more austerity?
They know the billionaires want the win without the billionaires having to pay for it?
Some combination? Which and why?
They know it's illegal, and their frantic search for legal loopholes is an admission of guilt. But they're not rational actors, Russia has become the EU's White Whale. They rationally understand that seizing sovereign assets would be self destruction. It would shatter the foundation of the EU as a safe financial jurisdiction to park your money in and trigger capital flight from Europe. They know they are risking the entire ship.
Yet they cannot let the whale go. They have invested too much prestige and capital in this pursuit. To stop now would be to admit that the entire costly venture has failed. It would mean facing the political hell of funding the war through their own taxpayers or accepting a negotiated peace that shatters the myth of Western invincibility.
So they are trapped. Their rational mind screams about the danger, but their obsession drives them forward. They would rather risk dragging the entire European project into the depths than admit defeat and let the whale swim free.
I agree, and white whale is a perfect analogy here. I suspect their ultrawealthy are pressing them to pursue this without having to fund a dime from their own coffers, although I doubt it matters to them the actual winners and losers as much as entertainment values, but I'm sleepy and shooting from the hip.
Yeah the wealthy are obviously going to be able to protect their assets, and another factor is that they're using this to drive austerity which benefits them in the long run.
Yep. Everything I listed is what I think is going on, and probably much more, and more sinister.