European Union diplomats are proposing to double military aid for Ukraine to €40 billion this year, IPN reports.
According to an EU diplomatic document, all member states of the bloc should contribute to Ukraine's aid, Reuters writes.
With the future of U.S. support for Ukraine uncertain, EU states have expressed a broad willingness to continue backing the country in the war launched by Russia in 2022. However, several countries oppose fixed targets.
The document states that the European Union provided approximately €20 billion in military aid to Ukraine last year and encourages member states to do the same again in 2025, potentially reaching a total of €40 billion, depending on Kyiv’s needs.
EU leaders will discuss the proposal at the European External Action Service (EEAS), chaired by former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, during next week’s summit.
An unofficial EEAS document suggests that, as a first step, European leaders agree to provide Ukraine with two million rounds of large-caliber ammunition this year. According to the document, some of the plan’s costs could be covered using frozen Russian assets in the EU.
Hungary, whose Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has criticized EU sanctions against Russia and military assistance to Ukraine, stated on Friday that while the country should contribute funds to a common EU defense policy, it does not support joint EU defense loans.
Photo source: Pavlo Vakhrushev - stock.adobe.com
