Skip to main content

Belgium investigating reports its arms destined to defend Ukraine ended up in Russia

BELGIUM is investigating whether weapons it sent to help Ukraine defend its territory were used in fighting just over the border.

This follows a news report over the weekend by the Washington Post that equipment produced by a Belgian company turned up around Russia’s Belgorod region.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo told Belgian broadcaster VRT:  “Defence and information services have started a probe to be absolutely sure what happened there.”

The Washington Post report said arms from some Nato member countries, including the United States, Poland, Czechia and Belgium, had appeared in Belgorod, which borders Ukraine.

The Post’s report cast doubt on whether Ukraine had proper controls in place. 

Mr De Croo said that European Union nations supplied Ukraine with weapons on the condition the arms were used only within the invaded country to defend its territory.

“The rule is very strict,” the prime minister said, since Russia would likely see the use of the weapons outside Ukraine as Western provocation.

While there could be “leakage of our weapons to other conflicts,” Mr De Croo said if there was any truth that arms destined to defend Ukraine were used in fighting in Russia, “we would take that extremely seriously.”

OWNED BY OUR READERS

We're a reader-owned co-operative, which means you can become part of the paper too by buying shares in the People’s Press Printing Society.

 

 

Become a supporter

Fighting fund

You've Raised:£ 9,899
We need:£ 8,101
12 Days remaining
Donate today