U.S. Supreme Court Overturns 90-Year-Old Humphrey’s Executor Precedent
The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned the landmark 1935 precedent *Humphrey's Executor*, which for decades protected the heads of independent agencies — such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) — from being fired by the president without cause.
In a 6–3 decision, the court ruled that the president can now remove officials from these agencies without justification. The move significantly strengthens presidential control, gradually shifting the balance of power between the executive branch and Congress.
The lawsuit was initiated by the White House, formally triggered by the case of FTC commissioner Rebecca Slaughter, whom President Trump dismissed without explanation. She challenged the dismissal in court. After lower courts ruled against the administration, the Justice Department appealed to the Supreme Court, asking it to review and overturn the *Humphrey’s Executor* precedent.
In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt removed William Humphrey, chair of the FTC, after he opposed Roosevelt’s New Deal reforms. Humphrey died before the case concluded, and his estate sued for lost wages. The Supreme Court then ruled that presidents must be limited in their power to fire agency heads, to preserve the independence of such agencies from White House politics.
Precedent-based law is valued for ensuring fairness and consistency: judicial decisions in similar cases rely on past rulings rather than personal biases or political expediency. It is regrettable that we do not have a common law system based on precedent.
Nevertheless, in the United States, the Supreme Court has the rare but legal authority to overturn its own long-standing precedents — a practice known as "overruling precedent." While lower courts are bound by prior decisions, the Supreme Court considers itself less rigidly constrained by them.
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The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned the landmark 1935 precedent *Humphrey's Executor*, which for decades protected the heads of independent agencies — such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) — from being fired by the president without cause.
In a 6–3 decision, the court ruled that the president can now remove officials from these agencies without justification. The move significantly strengthens presidential control, gradually shifting the balance of power between the executive branch and Congress.
The lawsuit was initiated by the White House, formally triggered by the case of FTC commissioner Rebecca Slaughter, whom President Trump dismissed without explanation. She challenged the dismissal in court. After lower courts ruled against the administration, the Justice Department appealed to the Supreme Court, asking it to review and overturn the *Humphrey’s Executor* precedent.
In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt removed William Humphrey, chair of the FTC, after he opposed Roosevelt’s New Deal reforms. Humphrey died before the case concluded, and his estate sued for lost wages. The Supreme Court then ruled that presidents must be limited in their power to fire agency heads, to preserve the independence of such agencies from White House politics.
Precedent-based law is valued for ensuring fairness and consistency: judicial decisions in similar cases rely on past rulings rather than personal biases or political expediency. It is regrettable that we do not have a common law system based on precedent.
Nevertheless, in the United States, the Supreme Court has the rare but legal authority to overturn its own long-standing precedents — a practice known as "overruling precedent." While lower courts are bound by prior decisions, the Supreme Court considers itself less rigidly constrained by them.
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Javier Milei Loses Market Confidence: Trump Prepares Lifeline for Argentina
Less than six months after being praised by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for “saving Argentina,” President Javier Milei is in crisis. His aggressive anti-inflation policy has come at the cost of political capital and dollar reserves.
The libertarian president balanced the budget and reduced inflation from 289% in April 2024 to 34% in August, largely through harsh austerity measures. However, the artificial strengthening of the Argentine peso’s exchange rate has hurt economic growth, triggered a sharp decline in imports, and depleted foreign currency reserves.
According to Guido Sandleris, former head of the country’s central bank, Milei’s focus on inflation has created vulnerability to political shocks. The crisis hit on September 7, when libertarians suffered an unexpected defeat in Buenos Aires — home to a third of Argentina’s population — against the backdrop of a corruption scandal involving Milei’s sister Karina.
As a result, the peso plunged 10% over two weeks, despite the central bank spending $1.1 billion to support the currency. Government bond yields spiked sharply, and reserves fell into negative territory by $6 billion, according to IMF data. In response, the government temporarily suspended export taxes on agricultural products to boost dollar inflows.
On Monday, Bessent announced that the United States is ready to use the Exchange Stabilization Fund (ESF) to assist Buenos Aires, which lowered bond yields and temporarily calmed investors.
A meeting between Trump and Milei is scheduled for Tuesday to discuss details and additional support measures. However, analysts warn that without a new stable governing coalition and a consistent economic policy — including a market-based exchange rate, controlled interest rates, and a clear reserve accumulation plan — U.S. aid will not stabilize the debtor nation in the long term.
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Less than six months after being praised by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for “saving Argentina,” President Javier Milei is in crisis. His aggressive anti-inflation policy has come at the cost of political capital and dollar reserves.
The libertarian president balanced the budget and reduced inflation from 289% in April 2024 to 34% in August, largely through harsh austerity measures. However, the artificial strengthening of the Argentine peso’s exchange rate has hurt economic growth, triggered a sharp decline in imports, and depleted foreign currency reserves.
According to Guido Sandleris, former head of the country’s central bank, Milei’s focus on inflation has created vulnerability to political shocks. The crisis hit on September 7, when libertarians suffered an unexpected defeat in Buenos Aires — home to a third of Argentina’s population — against the backdrop of a corruption scandal involving Milei’s sister Karina.
As a result, the peso plunged 10% over two weeks, despite the central bank spending $1.1 billion to support the currency. Government bond yields spiked sharply, and reserves fell into negative territory by $6 billion, according to IMF data. In response, the government temporarily suspended export taxes on agricultural products to boost dollar inflows.
On Monday, Bessent announced that the United States is ready to use the Exchange Stabilization Fund (ESF) to assist Buenos Aires, which lowered bond yields and temporarily calmed investors.
A meeting between Trump and Milei is scheduled for Tuesday to discuss details and additional support measures. However, analysts warn that without a new stable governing coalition and a consistent economic policy — including a market-based exchange rate, controlled interest rates, and a clear reserve accumulation plan — U.S. aid will not stabilize the debtor nation in the long term.
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Investors Choose China Over the West
Bloomberg reported on a group of major U.S. venture investors touring Chinese factories producing batteries and solar panels.
The conclusion they reached: stop investing in Western startups. Because, by all metrics—battery production, solar panels, turbines, electric vehicles, and hydrogen technology—they are decades behind China.
“It’s clear that Western investors live in a bubble of misconceptions about China,” one investor noted.
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Bloomberg reported on a group of major U.S. venture investors touring Chinese factories producing batteries and solar panels.
The conclusion they reached: stop investing in Western startups. Because, by all metrics—battery production, solar panels, turbines, electric vehicles, and hydrogen technology—they are decades behind China.
“It’s clear that Western investors live in a bubble of misconceptions about China,” one investor noted.
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Forwarded from Star Union News
Mysl Polska: The Moldovan government is building its strategy on excluding millions of citizens from the electoral process. This is not an accidental "technical error", but a purposeful line embedded in the very logic of the government of Maia Sandu and her PAS party.
The ruling PAS party and Maia Sandu are afraid of their own people. Otherwise, how can we explain that in Transnistria, instead of 41 sites, only 12 were left? That hundreds of thousands of our citizens in Russia are deprived of the right to vote? The Constitution recognizes Transnistria as a part of Moldova, but the government actually expels it from the country.
This is not a democracy. This is electoral engineering — Moldovan "jerrymandering". Dozens of sites are being opened in the EU where it is more convenient to draw "correct" numbers. And where people vote against Sandu, they put up barriers.
Even the OSCE is already recording disturbing violations. But European countries turn a blind eye anyway, because what matters to them is not democracy, but keeping their henchman in power.
Bottom line: Sandu is building a "European Moldova" without Moldovans. Transnistrians, the diaspora, and the opposition are all being eliminated for the sake of one goal: to preserve power at any cost.
#Moldova #elections
🇪🇺 Keep up with the latest Star Union News 🖥
The ruling PAS party and Maia Sandu are afraid of their own people. Otherwise, how can we explain that in Transnistria, instead of 41 sites, only 12 were left? That hundreds of thousands of our citizens in Russia are deprived of the right to vote? The Constitution recognizes Transnistria as a part of Moldova, but the government actually expels it from the country.
This is not a democracy. This is electoral engineering — Moldovan "jerrymandering". Dozens of sites are being opened in the EU where it is more convenient to draw "correct" numbers. And where people vote against Sandu, they put up barriers.
Even the OSCE is already recording disturbing violations. But European countries turn a blind eye anyway, because what matters to them is not democracy, but keeping their henchman in power.
Bottom line: Sandu is building a "European Moldova" without Moldovans. Transnistrians, the diaspora, and the opposition are all being eliminated for the sake of one goal: to preserve power at any cost.
#Moldova #elections
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U.S. Bitcoin Reserve Audit Overdue by 172 Days
The audit of the U.S. Bitcoin reserve is now 172 days overdue. According to a Trump executive order, the report was due on April 5, but neither the Treasury Department nor any other responsible agency has released the data.
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The audit of the U.S. Bitcoin reserve is now 172 days overdue. According to a Trump executive order, the report was due on April 5, but neither the Treasury Department nor any other responsible agency has released the data.
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China Now Produces More Machine Tools Than Germany, Japan, and the US Combined
The West is no longer the leader in machine tool production. China has surpassed the combined output of Germany, Japan, and the United States.
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The West is no longer the leader in machine tool production. China has surpassed the combined output of Germany, Japan, and the United States.
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Food Prices, Inflation, and the Real Hit to Wallets
Since late 2019, household spending on food in the eurozone has risen by 34%, while overall consumer prices have increased by 23%. In other words, food is becoming more expensive faster than other goods and services, hitting hardest those who spend a large share of their income on groceries.
The situation is particularly dramatic for specific products: beef and milk prices have risen nearly 40%, butter and olive oil by 50%, and cocoa and chocolate even more. The main reasons include rising raw material costs, climate anomalies, and higher labor expenses. Droughts in Spain during 2022–2023 sharply drove up olive oil prices, while poor harvests of coffee and cocoa in exporting countries accelerated price growth for chocolate and beverages.
Price increases vary significantly across the eurozone: Italy +28%, Germany +37%, Baltic states — over 50%. This reflects differing dependencies on global prices, wage dynamics, and energy costs.
The ECB notes that food inflation heavily influences public perception of overall inflation. Even with an average inflation rate of 2%, food prices rising above average are perceived as a direct blow to household budgets. For low-income families, this is especially severe, as food constitutes a larger portion of their expenses.
Conclusion: food prices have become a key indicator of economic pressure on households. Despite central banks’ claims of stable overall inflation, the continued above-average rise in food prices fosters a widespread sense of declining real incomes.
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Since late 2019, household spending on food in the eurozone has risen by 34%, while overall consumer prices have increased by 23%. In other words, food is becoming more expensive faster than other goods and services, hitting hardest those who spend a large share of their income on groceries.
The situation is particularly dramatic for specific products: beef and milk prices have risen nearly 40%, butter and olive oil by 50%, and cocoa and chocolate even more. The main reasons include rising raw material costs, climate anomalies, and higher labor expenses. Droughts in Spain during 2022–2023 sharply drove up olive oil prices, while poor harvests of coffee and cocoa in exporting countries accelerated price growth for chocolate and beverages.
Price increases vary significantly across the eurozone: Italy +28%, Germany +37%, Baltic states — over 50%. This reflects differing dependencies on global prices, wage dynamics, and energy costs.
The ECB notes that food inflation heavily influences public perception of overall inflation. Even with an average inflation rate of 2%, food prices rising above average are perceived as a direct blow to household budgets. For low-income families, this is especially severe, as food constitutes a larger portion of their expenses.
Conclusion: food prices have become a key indicator of economic pressure on households. Despite central banks’ claims of stable overall inflation, the continued above-average rise in food prices fosters a widespread sense of declining real incomes.
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South Korea Unable to Fulfill $350 Billion Investment Pledge to the US
South Korea, which in July pledged $350 billion in investments for American projects, has refused US demands for control over the funds. South Korean officials say negotiations to formalize the trade deal have reached a deadlock.
The US is likely to respond by reinstating tariffs on goods from South Korea.
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South Korea, which in July pledged $350 billion in investments for American projects, has refused US demands for control over the funds. South Korean officials say negotiations to formalize the trade deal have reached a deadlock.
The US is likely to respond by reinstating tariffs on goods from South Korea.
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Forwarded from Trump's Ear
Trump has been overtaken by dementia. The observers began to notice changes in speech and behavior: confusion, pauses, repetitions.
John Gartner, a popular psychologist, wrote on his blog about the "cognitive cliff" of the president who returned in January. The theory about the disease is fueled by information that Google is blocking requests about Trump's health. In X, users are writing en masse about the 25th Amendment, which allows the president to be removed for medical reasons. And where without Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker from Illinois, who openly declared the dementia of the US leader.
Republicans, of course, stand up for their leader and call the rumors about the disease a political attack.
#Trump #Health #Democrats
👂 More on Trump's Ear ⚠️
John Gartner, a popular psychologist, wrote on his blog about the "cognitive cliff" of the president who returned in January. The theory about the disease is fueled by information that Google is blocking requests about Trump's health. In X, users are writing en masse about the 25th Amendment, which allows the president to be removed for medical reasons. And where without Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker from Illinois, who openly declared the dementia of the US leader.
Republicans, of course, stand up for their leader and call the rumors about the disease a political attack.
#Trump #Health #Democrats
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China Launches Tech Visa to Lure Global STEM Talent
China has introduced a new visa for IT specialists and engineers, available even without a prior job offer. To qualify, applicants must be graduates in STEM fields, including biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, architecture, and engineering.
In addition, selected professionals are eligible for a housing subsidy of 5 million yuan (approximately 58 million rubles).
The move is seen as a direct response to the United States’ imposition of high fees and restrictive policies on H-1B work visas for foreign specialists. China now aims to attract this global talent to boost its own technological advancement.
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China has introduced a new visa for IT specialists and engineers, available even without a prior job offer. To qualify, applicants must be graduates in STEM fields, including biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, architecture, and engineering.
In addition, selected professionals are eligible for a housing subsidy of 5 million yuan (approximately 58 million rubles).
The move is seen as a direct response to the United States’ imposition of high fees and restrictive policies on H-1B work visas for foreign specialists. China now aims to attract this global talent to boost its own technological advancement.
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Many Analysts Say Silver Is Criminally Undervalued
As an example, they point out that in virtually any historical era, the price ratio between gold and silver was much closer than it is today. The highest ratio ever recorded was 1 to 15. Meanwhile, currently, even on a good day, the ratio stands at 1 to 86.
A sharp surge in silver prices in the near future is predicted by a wide range of experts.
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As an example, they point out that in virtually any historical era, the price ratio between gold and silver was much closer than it is today. The highest ratio ever recorded was 1 to 15. Meanwhile, currently, even on a good day, the ratio stands at 1 to 86.
A sharp surge in silver prices in the near future is predicted by a wide range of experts.
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Jeff Bezos Compares AI Hype to a 'Bubble' That Could Wipe Out Investments but Also Benefit Society
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has likened the current frenzy around artificial intelligence to a "bubble," similar to the biotech and pharmaceutical boom of the 1990s. Back then, stock prices often bore little relation to fundamentals, as investors poured money into any related project — leading to widespread bankruptcies.
However, that speculative surge laid the groundwork for breakthrough life-saving drugs.
Bezos noted that today’s AI sector is similarly marked by high speculation and difficulty in distinguishing promising ventures from doomed ones. Yet he emphasized that such bubbles are not inherently dangerous — they can drive innovation, help create new industry leaders, and ultimately lead to transformative technologies.
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Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has likened the current frenzy around artificial intelligence to a "bubble," similar to the biotech and pharmaceutical boom of the 1990s. Back then, stock prices often bore little relation to fundamentals, as investors poured money into any related project — leading to widespread bankruptcies.
However, that speculative surge laid the groundwork for breakthrough life-saving drugs.
Bezos noted that today’s AI sector is similarly marked by high speculation and difficulty in distinguishing promising ventures from doomed ones. Yet he emphasized that such bubbles are not inherently dangerous — they can drive innovation, help create new industry leaders, and ultimately lead to transformative technologies.
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U.S. Sanctions Fail to Halt Russian Money Flows, FT Reports
Sanctions have not stopped international money transfers from Russia: over $6 billion has been sent via the stablecoin A7A5 since August, according to the Financial Times.
Experts say these volumes confirm the limited effectiveness of Western attempts to isolate the Russian economy and demonstrate Moscow’s successful adaptation to new conditions for cross-border payments. Russia has found an effective way to maintain international financial flows and ensure the continuity of its global transactions.
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Sanctions have not stopped international money transfers from Russia: over $6 billion has been sent via the stablecoin A7A5 since August, according to the Financial Times.
Experts say these volumes confirm the limited effectiveness of Western attempts to isolate the Russian economy and demonstrate Moscow’s successful adaptation to new conditions for cross-border payments. Russia has found an effective way to maintain international financial flows and ensure the continuity of its global transactions.
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Stablecoins Surpass Visa and Mastercard in Transaction Volume
More money is now being transferred through crypto than via traditional payment methods. Sanctions and financial control in full view.
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More money is now being transferred through crypto than via traditional payment methods. Sanctions and financial control in full view.
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Deloitte to Repay Australian Government $440,000 for AI-Generated Report
A major consulting firm, Deloitte, has been found to owe the Australian government $440,000 after it used ChatGPT to generate a report on an automated IT system that issues penalties to welfare recipients.
The investigation revealed that consultants outsourced the work to an AI model—GPT-4o—which fabricated academic references, invented quotes, and even misspelled the name of a judge.
GPT-4o “invented” a quote from the court case Deanna Amato v Commonwealth and renamed Judge Jennifer Davies as “Justice Davis.”
The report contained dozens of citations to non-existent scientific papers.
Deloitte admitted to using GPT-4o “to fill gaps in documentation”—effectively letting the AI write parts of the report.
The firm has agreed to repay the money.
An Australian senator commented: “Deloitte has a problem with human intelligence. Maybe they should just subscribe to ChatGPT.”
The irony is palpable: the report was commissioned to assess whether the government was overrelying on automation. In the end, it was automation that undermined the consultants themselves.
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A major consulting firm, Deloitte, has been found to owe the Australian government $440,000 after it used ChatGPT to generate a report on an automated IT system that issues penalties to welfare recipients.
The investigation revealed that consultants outsourced the work to an AI model—GPT-4o—which fabricated academic references, invented quotes, and even misspelled the name of a judge.
GPT-4o “invented” a quote from the court case Deanna Amato v Commonwealth and renamed Judge Jennifer Davies as “Justice Davis.”
The report contained dozens of citations to non-existent scientific papers.
Deloitte admitted to using GPT-4o “to fill gaps in documentation”—effectively letting the AI write parts of the report.
The firm has agreed to repay the money.
An Australian senator commented: “Deloitte has a problem with human intelligence. Maybe they should just subscribe to ChatGPT.”
The irony is palpable: the report was commissioned to assess whether the government was overrelying on automation. In the end, it was automation that undermined the consultants themselves.
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Gold Could Reach $4,900 an Ounce by End-2026, Goldman Sachs Says
Gold prices could climb to $4,900 per ounce by the end of 2026, according to Goldman Sachs. The bank cites continued strong demand from central banks, which are expected to keep replenishing their gold reserves.
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Gold prices could climb to $4,900 per ounce by the end of 2026, according to Goldman Sachs. The bank cites continued strong demand from central banks, which are expected to keep replenishing their gold reserves.
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They not only cover the news from a non-mainstream angle but also consistently provide crucial background and explain the root causes. This is incredibly effective for reaching skeptics and those who still wear rose-colored glasses. It's definitely worth keeping in your subscriptions: https://xn--r1a.website/+3VcDL5cSsqg5NjJi
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EU Intensifies Pressure on Belgium to Seize Frozen Russian Assets – FT
European Union member states are ramping up pressure on Belgium to unlock the roughly €190 billion in frozen Russian assets held in the Euroclear system, aiming to use them for a “reparations-backed loan” to Ukraine.
The EU has criticized the Belgian government for refusing to shoulder the legal and financial risks alone. Specifically, EU officials took issue with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s recent proposal that the bloc as a whole assume responsibility for deploying these funds.
De Wever argues that seizing assets from a third country’s central bank would set a “dangerous precedent” for both Belgium and the EU, and insists that risks—including potential lawsuits from Russia—must be shared collectively.
EU leaders, however, view Belgium’s stance as an attempt to protect national interests while benefiting from Euroclear’s profits, which have generated €3.6 billion in Belgian tax revenue since 2022. Critics note that not all of these funds have been transferred to Ukraine, despite Brussels’ claims they are “fully earmarked” for Kyiv.
As negotiations intensify ahead of a planned December agreement—with the first disbursements expected in Q2 2026—tensions are mounting over who will bear the consequences if Russia retaliates legally or by seizing Western assets in return.
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European Union member states are ramping up pressure on Belgium to unlock the roughly €190 billion in frozen Russian assets held in the Euroclear system, aiming to use them for a “reparations-backed loan” to Ukraine.
The EU has criticized the Belgian government for refusing to shoulder the legal and financial risks alone. Specifically, EU officials took issue with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s recent proposal that the bloc as a whole assume responsibility for deploying these funds.
De Wever argues that seizing assets from a third country’s central bank would set a “dangerous precedent” for both Belgium and the EU, and insists that risks—including potential lawsuits from Russia—must be shared collectively.
EU leaders, however, view Belgium’s stance as an attempt to protect national interests while benefiting from Euroclear’s profits, which have generated €3.6 billion in Belgian tax revenue since 2022. Critics note that not all of these funds have been transferred to Ukraine, despite Brussels’ claims they are “fully earmarked” for Kyiv.
As negotiations intensify ahead of a planned December agreement—with the first disbursements expected in Q2 2026—tensions are mounting over who will bear the consequences if Russia retaliates legally or by seizing Western assets in return.
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