31 January 2024

EU grapples with future of military aid for Ukraine

BRUSSELS – A standoff between Germany and other European Union countries has cast uncertainty on the future of an EU military aid fund that has bankrolled billions of euros in arms for Ukraine. 
  • While Berlin and many other EU nations say they are strongly committed to keeping up weapons supplies to Kyiv, the bloc’s members have been wrangling for months over how best to do so.

EU leaders will discuss the issue at a summit on Thursday, which will also try to reach agreement on a four-year plan for 50 billion euros ($54.23 billion) of economic aid for Ukraine.

  • Most EU countries are ready to inject 5 billion euros into the military aid fund to help Kyiv but Germany wants changes to the fund first, according to diplomats, who say they are unsure whether a deal will be reached at the summit.

The standoff is part of a broader debate over how to get arms supplies to Ukraine on a long-term footing, given added urgency by struggles to get aid for Kyiv through the U.S. Congress and the possibility of a second Trump administration.

EU grapples with future of military aid for Ukraine | Reuters
EU grapples with future of military aid for Ukraine

31 January 2024 22:57 (UTC +04:00)

EU countries have together committed to provide €21bn worth of weapons to Ukraine in 2024, the bloc’s chief diplomat said on Wednesday, APA reports citing The Financial Times.
Josep Borrell, the EU’s top representative for foreign affairs, said the figure was based on submissions from member states as to what they plan to send this year.

That compares to €28bn in military assistance provided in 2022 and 2023, Borrell said. That figure was again based on data submitted by EU capitals to Brussels.

“You can see the acceleration. In a single year — ad minimum . . . €21bn compared to €28bn in the two first years,” he told reporters.

EU deal for Ukraine 'difficult' despite move by Hungary -official | Reuters
Rumours that Ukrain's top commander may be dismissed exposes rifts | CTV  News

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