Belgian Government Under Fire Over "Dimitriev-Witkoff" Ukraine Peace Plan Stance

Brussels – The Belgian government is facing sharp criticism for its reported appeal to the controversial "Dimitriev-Witkoff 28-point sellout of Ukraine" plan, raising concerns about its reliability within the European Union on security matters. Former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves voiced strong disapproval on social media, stating, "When the Belgian government justifies its position by appealing to the Dimitriev-Witkoff 28 point sellout of Ukraine, you know you no longer have a trustworthy member of the EU on any issues relating to security." The "Dimitriev-Witkoff" plan refers to a 28-point peace proposal for Ukraine, largely drafted by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev under the Trump administration. This plan has been widely criticized by European and Ukrainian officials for heavily favoring Russian interests. Key provisions reportedly include Ukraine ceding significant territory, limiting its military capacity, and forswearing NATO membership, which many view as a capitulation to Moscow's demands. The plan's emergence caused alarm among European allies, who felt bypassed in the negotiations. Leaked transcripts further indicated that Witkoff, a real estate investor with no prior diplomatic experience, coached a Kremlin official on how to present the plan to then-President Trump. Critics argue the proposal weakens Ukraine and risks dividing the transatlantic alliance, rather than securing a lasting peace. Belgium's specific involvement in the broader context of the Ukraine conflict has also drawn scrutiny regarding the use of frozen Russian assets. EU discussions on leveraging these assets for Ukrainian reconstruction have reportedly stalled due to opposition from Belgium, where a substantial portion of these funds are held. The Belgian government has expressed concerns over potential legal repercussions associated with seizing these assets. Ilves further elaborated on his concerns, suggesting Belgium might prioritize the U.S. over the EU on crucial security issues. "Perhaps Belgium prefers the US to the EU if on as crucial an issue as the security of Europe it follows the US," Ilves tweeted, questioning Belgium's commitment to European security, particularly given its role as host to both EU and NATO headquarters. The ongoing debate highlights growing tensions within the EU regarding a unified approach to the conflict in Ukraine and its geopolitical implications.