The Belgian opposition parties in the House on Wednesday demanded clarification from the government following its decision to deliver two to four F-16s to Ukraine, with Les Engagés seeing it as nothing more than a "publicity stunt".
"We were told this morning that we would be delivering between two and four F-16s to the Ukraine and then we learn that it is, in fact, a decision that will be taken by the next government. It’s an irresponsible announcement in view of the situation in Ukraine. Once again, the cacophony reigns over military aid to Ukraine," emphasised the MP Georges Dallemagne (Les Engagés).
"I expect a clear and rapid decision on the delivery of a substantial number of aircraft," he added.
Another source of surprise for centrists was the €1.7 billion aid fund for Ukraine, financed by corporate tax levied on the interest on Russian assets frozen in Belgium.
"It’s the Russian oligarchs who are financing our aid. But what budget is Belgium putting on the table? And what’s more, this interest will only increase over the years. We need to draw up a support and reconstruction plan with Ukraine over several years," said Dallemagne.
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The Flemish opposition, meanwhile, expressed surprise at the U-turn taken by Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder, who had hitherto maintained that such a transfer of aircraft was operationally impossible for Belgium.
However, Peter Buysrogge (N-VA), chairman of the Chamber’s Defence Committee, said he was satisfied with the government’s announcement, even though, in his view, a number of points still needed to be urgently clarified.
The far-right party Vlaams Belang, represented by Steven Creyelman, is concerned about the possible risk of escalation and retaliation from Russia. The party also fears that the delivery will weaken the country’s defence capabilities.
