By Martin Banks*

Scores of people who took part in a demonstration in Brussels called for Ukraine’s air defence to be strengthened.

The demo on Monday (13 May) was organized by Promote Ukraine, an NGO, and the International Centre for Ukrainian Victory (ICUV).

It took place near the Belgian Federal Parliament and protestors called on the Belgian government and its Prime Minister to “take a leading role” in providing air defence systems to Ukraine.

The two organising groups claim that the Russian Central Bank holds approximately €210 billion within the EU, primarily in Belgium.

A spokesman for the organisers said, “We believe these  believe these funds should be used to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence without prolongation.”

During the recent attack on 17 April, Russian missiles hit the city of Chernihiv, killing 17 Ukrainian civilians and injuring more than 60. The attack was one of several Russian missile strikes in recent weeks.

The demo heard that, at the same time, Russia also launched a wave of attacks against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing even more damage than in the winter of 2022-2023.

The demo heard the incidents highlight the need to bolster Ukraine’s air defences.

The NGO spokesman added, “Considering the delay in delivering military aid from Western countries, Ukrainian, foreign experts and political actors predict a future, large-scale offensive by the Russian army in late spring or early summer.

“Therefore, we call on Belgium to use frozen Russian assets to help close the sky over Ukraine.”

During the demonstration protesters passed an open letter to Belgian Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, “calling him to take immediate action.”