Portugal backs use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine

That is according to Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel, Ukrinform reports, citing Reuters . Most of the roughly EUR 200 billion ($232.54 billion) in frozen Russian assets held in Europe are kept at Brussels-based clearing house Euroclear, placing Belgium at the center of the debate over whether the funds should be used to ⁠support Ukraine. The European Commission last year proposed using the assets to back a loan for Ukraine. But Belgium rejected the plan, saying it lacked guarantees against potential lawsuits and Russian compensation claims, insisting the risks be shared across the European Union.