What started as a €40 billion military aid proposal for Ukraine has now shrunk to a €5 billion ammunition fund, and its future is uncertain. Efforts by the European Union to provide this €5 billion in ammunition support have faced obstacles, with France and Italy hesitating to commit to specific amounts, according to Bloomberg, citing European diplomats familiar with the discussions in Brussels.
This delay highlights the EU's struggles to fill the gap left by U.S. support for Ukraine. EU leaders gathered in Brussels on March 21 to discuss military aid, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the summit via video, urgently calling for funds to purchase ammunition, particularly in the wake of a large overnight drone strike on Ukraine.
Zelenskyy emphasized that continued and growing support for Ukraine is crucial. The ammunition fund is part of a broader initiative proposed by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, aiming for up to €40 billion in military aid this year—double the €20 billion targeted for 2024. However, after resistance from some countries, discussions have now focused primarily on securing funds for 2 million artillery rounds.
France and Italy, the EU's second- and third-largest economies, have been reluctant to commit to specific amounts. Italian diplomats have requested more details on the technical and financial aspects, while French diplomats have stressed the importance of prioritizing the EU’s €18 billion share of a G7 loan package to Ukraine.
Kallas suggested a short-term solution if a full-year agreement can't be reached, calling it "realistic." Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo supported the initiative but criticized some countries for not contributing enough to arms deliveries. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda argued that setting funding targets before securing support was backwards.
This debate comes amid growing tensions over U.S. President Donald Trump’s push for a ceasefire and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s demand to stop arms deliveries to Ukraine as part of any peace deal. EU leaders are worried they might be sidelined in Trump’s recent talks with both Putin and Zelenskyy.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the EU has provided €50 billion in military aid to Ukraine, while the U.S. has contributed $66.5 billion. Meanwhile, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban continues to resist efforts to aid Ukraine, with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof stating that while Hungary may not participate, the other 26 EU countries will likely reach an agreement.
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