Key Takeaways
- European Union member countries agreed to release €6.6 billion for military aid to Ukraine.
- The funds will come from the European Peace Facility and will be used for various military assistance missions.
- Hungary initially blocked the release of funds, but the agreement now allows for their distribution.
European Union member countries have agreed to release €6.6 billion ($7.5 billion) in EU funds for military aid to Ukraine, according to a statement by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
The money will be sourced from the European Peace Facility, a fund used by EU members to finance military assistance to countries outside the bloc, and will also refund EU governments for military aid they have already provided.
Of the released funds, €900 million will be allocated to the EU’s military assistance mission for Ukraine, while €1 billion will be used for new joint procurement of equipment.
The remaining €4.7 billion will be used to reimburse member states, some of whom have already stated they would channel their share to Ukraine.
Kallas stated that the funds will be up to individual EU governments to decide how much of their refunds they allocate to fresh military aid for Kyiv.
The release of these funds comes after months of delay, initially blocked by Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is known for his Russia-friendly stance.
Kallas emphasized that the move is in response to Moscow’s hybrid attacks, which are aimed at intimidating Europe into scaling back its support for Ukraine.
She stated, ‘Moscow’s hybrid attacks try to intimidate Europe into scaling back its support for Ukraine. Europe is doing the opposite.’
That’s good news for Ukraine and bad news for Russia.
Kaja Kallas, EU foreign policy chief
