Belgium denounces use of its weapons in Russia
Belgium would be very displeased if the weapons it has supplied to Ukraine are being used on Russian territory, prime minister Alexander De Croo said on Monday morning on public broadcaster VRT's Radio 1. However, it must first be established with certainty that the weapons have been passed on to rebels in Russia.
Russian rebels fighting the Kremlin in the border region with Ukraine are using, among other things, guns that Ukraine received from Belgium, the Washington Post reported last weekend. The rebels reportedly invaded the area with Ukrainian help and occupied some Russian territory.
This risk is precisely "one of the reasons why European countries have been cautious about supplying weapons"
De Croo would "take it very seriously" if donated weapons were indeed being deployed in Russia, he said. That would go against the conditions set in the arms deliveries. "We control compliance with those rules very strictly," he said.
He does not want to anticipate possible consequences without "having certainty first". Belgium is asking Ukraine for an explanation, Belgian media reported earlier. This risk is precisely "one of the reasons why European countries have been cautious about supplying weapons", De Croo said.
(BRV)
Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo © BELGA PHOTO ELIOT BLONDET
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