MNI BRIEF: EC To Further Reassure Belgium On Loan Risks

The European Commission is looking at "additional safeguards" to reassure Belgium if the EC's proposal to use Russian assets for a reparation loan to Ukraine turns sour, an official said Friday. 

The comments follow new proposals from Brussels on Wednesday, which Belgian PM Bart de Wever has said, "go in the right direction" if not far enough, according to reports. De Wever and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will meet in Brussels later Friday. 

EC Chief Spokesperson Paula Pinho said earlier that Commission President Ursula von der Leyen would also be joining the Belgium-German talks and stressed Belgium's concerns over the loan were legitimate.