Belgium will not take part in US and Israeli war, says PM, who also clarifies Russia comments
The federal government’s position is that Belgium will not take part in the United States’ and Israel’s war against Iran. Prime minister Bart De Wever gave this response on Monday to questions about possible participation in an operation in the Strait of Hormuz.
If requests come from NATO or in a bilateral context – as is currently the case from Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates – these will be discussed within the government, De Wever said.
The prime minister also responded to the furore that had arisen in recent days far beyond the country’s borders over statements regarding Russia and explicitly denied that he would abandon Ukraine. He stated that a normalisation of relations with Russia would only be on the cards once a peace agreement acceptable to the European Union and Ukraine had been concluded.
Last weekend, De Wever spoke out in the French-language media in favour of an agreement with Russia regarding the war in Ukraine. “You have to rearm and remilitarise the border. At the same time, you have to normalise relations with Russia and regain access to cheap energy. That is a matter of common sense,” he said at the time.
These remarks sparked a strong reaction, not only from his own majority and the opposition at home, but also in international forums. But according to the prime minister himself, there is nothing to worry about. “People are blowing this out of proportion as if I were cosying up to Putin,” he said at an event in Brussels, or “as if I were grovelling at Putin’s feet”, but according to De Wever, this is completely unfounded.
The prime minister considers it only logical that negotiations should take place with the Russian president. Talks are already underway, yet the European Union has no seat at the table but is footing the bill, he argues.
If, following negotiations, a lasting agreement can be reached that satisfies Ukraine and the European Union, then, according to De Wever, a normalisation of relations with Russia must eventually follow. “That is the aim after every war. Surely it cannot be the intention to remain enemies for eternity?”
It must not be a “naive peace”, he emphasised. It must be accompanied by the rearmament of Europe and a strengthening of the eastern flank. And negotiating has nothing to do with surrendering or abandoning Ukraine, he stressed.
Prime minister Bart De Wever © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM