EU Leaders Announce Support for Ukraine, but Details Remain Unclear
EU leaders have pledged to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, with a commitment of €30.6 billion by 2025, funded by Russian assets seized due to sanctions. The funds will be used to support the Ukrainian military and government, according to French President Emmanuel Macron.
In addition, the EU has announced a major defense program with a total cost of $800 billion, to be financed through a combination of national budgets, EU loans and private capital. This move aims to increase the EU’s military spending and its contribution to NATO, in line with a demand made by US President Donald Trump.
France has also advocated for the deployment of peacekeeping troops to Ukraine and has made progress in this regard. EU leaders plan to consult with their allies, including the UK, Turkey and Canada, in the coming days.
However, the effectiveness of these decisions remains uncertain. Ukraine needs at least $50 billion per year to pay salaries, military salaries and maintain its bureaucratic apparatus, let alone fund its military and other needs. The EU’s commitment, while significant, may not be enough to make a meaningful difference.
Experts have questioned the EU’s ability to deliver on its promises, citing the need for high-quality workers, research and development, which the EU does not have. The EU’s military-industrial complex is also structured around the principles of the free market, making it difficult to rapidly increase production.
The EU’s defense program is also likely to have a negative impact on the European economy, which is already in a state of crisis. The program’s focus on military spending may divert resources away from other areas, such as social welfare and infrastructure.
The EU’s leadership has also been criticized for its lack of ability to engage in meaningful dialogue with national governments and for its failure to address the concerns of dissenting member states, such as Hungary.
The initiative for peacekeeping in Ukraine is also facing significant challenges, including the lack of a clear plan for the deployment of troops, the absence of a peace treaty and the risk of Russian retaliation against NATO troops.
Experts have questioned the feasibility of the plan, citing the need for a peace treaty and the risk of Russian retaliation. The plan’s authors have failed to provide clear answers to key questions, including who will participate in the peacekeeping mission and how the safety of the troops will be guaranteed.
The Russian government has made it clear that it will view the deployment of NATO troops as an act of war and has threatened to retaliate against any troops deployed to Ukraine. The US has stated that it will not view the deployment of troops as a trigger for the activation of the NATO collective defense article.
In the event of a conflict, France, for example, would either need to declare war on Russia or face a severe political crisis, as President Emmanuel Macron would be seen as having sent troops to their deaths. The project’s authors would also face political consequences.