The European Union is preparing a new military aid package worth at least six billion euros for Ukraine, according to three EU diplomats cited by Politico. The goal is to strengthen Kiev’s position, the diplomats said.
The new package is expected to include the delivery of 1.5 million artillery shells and air defense systems, among other items. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and her colleagues have announced a visit to Kiev for Monday, February 24 and the new package could be presented beforehand, Politico reported.
The package would be one of the largest military aid packages the EU has provided since the war began in 2022, with the total sum potentially increasing to as much as ten billion euros, according to two EU diplomats. The financial contribution of each EU member state would be proportional to its GDP, one of the diplomats said.
Such a significant military support would demonstrate the EU’s determination to provide further aid to Ukraine, following the inconclusive emergency meeting of EU leaders in Paris, where no concrete decisions were made on the potential deployment of peacekeeping troops. The EU was excluded from the talks between Moscow and Washington on resolving the conflict, causing concern in EU capitals and Kiev.
The planned increase in military aid could help Ukraine replenish its military forces, halt Russian attacks and defend Ukrainian cities against air raids, while Kiev prepares for peace talks, Politico reported. This could also strengthen the EU’s argument for being included in the talks.
It remains to be seen whether all EU member states will agree to the new military package, with one EU diplomat saying a unanimous agreement is unlikely due to the position of the Hungarian government.