New Delhi: The European Union agreed to provide five billion euros ($5.48 Billion) for military support to Ukraine, as part of a revamp of an EU-run assistant fund, as per ANI reports.
In a move to support Ukraine by providing them with military assistance against Russia, the EU in a statement said that it will do whatever it takes to prevail and support Ukraine with financial and military aid.
European Union’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy Joseph Borell in a tweet said that “We made it. #Coreper agreed on the #UkraineAssistanceFund. The fund will allow us to step up our military support to #Ukraine with another 5 billion Euros. The message is clear we will support #Ukraine with whatever it takes to prevail.
“Ambassadors of the EU’s 27 member countries agreed to the overhaul of the European Peace Facility (EPF) fund at a meeting in Brussels on 12th March 24 after months of wrangling, with EU heavyweights France and Germany at the centre of much of the debate” as per a news agency. The fund operated as a giant cash-back scheme, giving EU members refunds for sending munitions to other countries. France, a strong promoter of the European defence industries had insisted on a strong buy-European policy for arms eligible for refunds. Many countries argued that such a requirement would inhibit efforts to buy weapons from the world for Ukraine quickly. Germany by far has been by far Europe’s biggest bilateral donor of military aid to Ukraine and has demanded donations be taken into account in determining the size of countries financial contributions to the fund. Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said that it is yet another powerful and timely demonstration of European unity and determination to achieve a common victory. He stated that Ukraine anticipates the next meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council to accept the final decision. The final text said that the scheme should give priority to the European defence industry while exceptionally allowing for flexibility in cases where it cannot provide within a time frame compatible with Ukrainian needs. Thanks to the agreement, the fund will be able to support a Czech effort that would purchase hundreds of thousands of artillery shells from non-European nations, which is much required. The foreign minister of Belgium Hadja Lahbib, the current holder of the EU’s rotating Presidency said that Ukraine needs more arms and equipment, and will provide them in sufficient quantities and in a coordinated manner. He also said that Europe is true to its commitment and their freedom is at stake. As per a news report, this latest announcement by the European Union (EU) comes as Ukraine’s forces are under pressure along the front line in the face of ammunition shortages. Moreover, earlier on Tuesday, 12th March, the US announced a new $300m weapons package for Ukraine, but a further $60 billion in funding remains stalled in the congress. The EU is further pushing to bolster weapons and ammunition production by its defence industry, but two years into the war is still struggling to ramp up output to support its armed forces.We made it: #Coreper agreed on the #UkraineAssistanceFund.
The Fund will allow us to step up our military support to #Ukraine with another €5 billion. The message is clear: we will support #Ukraine with whatever it takes to prevail.#EuropeanPeaceFacility — Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) March 13, 2024
