Espreso. Global

EU prepares multi-year military aid package for Ukraine worth EUR 20bn

22 January, 2024 Monday
16:50

Josep Borrell's office has put forward a proposal to reform the European Peace Fund, which reimbursed EU member states for the cost of weapons transferred to Ukraine, and to create a special military fund on its basis

client/title.list_title

Radio Liberty reports this, referring to an unofficial document of the EU Foreign Policy Service.

The funds are supposed to be used for joint purchases of weapons for Ukraine and training of its military, and will make military assistance more structured and predictable.

"This will be of greater value in terms of providing more and better operational support to Ukraine than would be the case if member states acted individually," the document says.

The idea must be approved by the leaders of the EU member states. It is expected that they will try to reach an agreement at an extraordinary summit of the member states on February 1.

"An early political agreement is needed on the proposed target of increasing the overall financial ceiling of the European Peace Fund by EUR 5 billion, specifically earmarked for Ukraine... Further comparable annual increases could be envisaged until 2027, based on Ukraine's needs and subject to political guidance from the Council," the EU External Action Service document says.

Reimbursements to member states for the supply of weapons from their own stockpiles or unilateral purchases, as was the case with the European Peace Fund, will be gradually phased out, taking into account the possible timing of deliveries through joint procurement and Ukraine's urgent, short-term needs for materials. The document mentions a transition period, the duration of which will be agreed upon separately.

Among the key needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is the provision of ammunition for both artillery and air defense systems. It also emphasizes the need to restore its stockpiles of shells, produce drones, and replace artillery barrels. Special emphasis is placed on repair and maintenance of the equipment already provided.

The key challenge is to increase the defense industry's capacity to restore stocks, and a "bonus" is planned for orders that will develop cooperation between European manufacturers and Ukrainian ones.

"Member states should seek to contribute to these policy objectives either through unilateral procurement or through participation in joint procurement efforts... Special financial incentives could also be provided for joint procurement that brings together European and Ukrainian defense industry partners, i.e. joint ventures, for example, by applying a higher reimbursement rate," the document says.

Another track that will be allocated from the military special fund, if approved, is training. The document states that given the high level of "exhaustion" and the difficult situation on the front line, the training needs of the Armed Forces will only increase.

"In December 2023, President Zelenskyy announced an urgent requirement to mobilize another 500,000 conscripts. This will significantly affect the requirements of the EU military training mission to provide basic training for recruits, along with the appropriate provision of basic equipment," the document says.

Borrell's office refers to European Council declarations in which EU leaders emphasize the importance of stable and predictable military support for Ukraine and note that Russia is making considerable efforts to restore its combat capability.

"Given Ukraine's dependence on external support, the choices made by EU member states and partners in the coming period will either allow Ukraine to make decisive progress or seriously undermine its ability to resist. Uncertainty about the predictable and structured provision of military assistance to Ukraine will have a corresponding impact on Ukraine," the EU diplomatic service summarizes.

On February 1, EU leaders gathered for an extraordinary summit to agree on 50 billion in macro-financial assistance to Ukraine, which was blocked by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in December.

For eight months, Hungary has also been blocking the next tranche of EUR 500 million from the European Peace Fund for weapons that member states are transferring to Ukraine.

The creation of a separate fund to meet its military needs, as well as the coordination of its content for the next four years, is intended, among other things, to ensure the smooth operation of this process and avoid vetoes on each payment.

Through the European Peace Fund, seven support packages were approved to reimburse lethal and non-lethal military support to Ukraine for a total base amount of EUR 3.5 billion.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2024, Monday
30 December
16:18
OPINION
Russia's air piracy remains unpunished
15:57
Partisans torch two locomotives in Moscow region bound for occupied Ukraine
15:31
Russia fails to repair damaged equipment at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant
15:14
Updated
Ukraine’s FM delivers Zelenskyy’s support message to new Syrian rebel leader
15:10
U.S. announces new $2.5 billion aid package for Ukraine
14:45
Russian billionaires’ chemical firms fuel Moscow’s war effort – media
14:20
Russia declines invitation to Ukraine peace summit — Russian FM
14:05
Interview
Viola von Cramon-Taubadel
People in EU need to understand: Ukraine is not threat, but asset – former MEP Viola von Cramon in interview with Espreso
13:53
OPINION
Why Trump will fail to achieve peace
13:37
NATO official warns Russia’s hybrid warfare could cause major casualties
13:16
Exclusive
Unusual missile from Russian Pantsir-S1: aviation expert on Azerbaijani plane crash
12:58
Ukraine tests Tytan drone interceptor: why gaming console makes it brilliant
12:42
OPINION
Ukraine's fragile future: main scenario for 2025
12:06
Review
Russia-Ukraine war in 2024: frontline gains and peace prospects
11:42
EU's Kallas holds Russia accountable for damage to cables Baltic Sea
11:27
Ukraine destroys Russian HQ in Zaporizhzhia, causing casualties among Russian troops
10:55
Exclusive
Russia struggles to advance in Toretsk due to strong industrial positions, serviceman says
10:36
186 combat clashes occur on Russia-Ukraine front: Moscow ramps up attacks in Pokrovsk, Lyman
10:15
Ukraine says air defenses down 21 Russian drones overnight, 22 others fail to hit targets
09:54
Finland links Baltic Sea power line damage to Russian tanker anchor
09:35
Russia loses 7 tanks, 44 artillery systems and over 2,000 soldiers in one day of war in Ukraine
2024, Sunday
29 December
19:39
Review
Ukraine's EU membership journey: milestones and next steps
19:15
Ukraine receives over €150 million in defense funding from Denmark, France, Lithuania
18:52
133 combat clashes since morning: Ukrainian forces repel 22 attacks
18:28
Exclusive
Croatian elections: President Milanović leads but is not Ukraine-friendly
18:05
Poland plans to close border with Belarus by summer 2025 – FT
17:46
Russian naval logistics in Crimea effectively destroyed – Ukrainian Navy
17:23
OPINION
Ukraine is able to regularly attack military targets in Russia
17:00
Our plane was blinded and shot down by Russia – Azerbaijan's President Aliyev
16:37
Russia opposes Trump’s idea of deploying peacekeepers in Ukraine – Lavrov
16:18
Russia's Rostov region reports drone attack: locomotive depot damaged
15:59
Britain to give Ukraine $5.6 mln to investigate Russian war crimes
15:40
In one week, Russia launched over 370 strike drones, 280 KABs, and 80 missiles against Ukraine – Zelenskyy
15:21
OPINION
World ocean turns hostile for Russian ships
15:03
Review
Pro-Kremlin mouthpiece for Spain, Latin America loses its domain, migrates to new one
14:44
Ukrainian forces destroy Russian telecom equipment in Donetsk region
14:25
NATO warns of potential unconventional Russian attack leading to major losses
14:01
Russian troops push to seize Kupyansk-Vuzlovyi by New Year - Achilles Battalion
13:38
Exclusive
"Tensions rise ahead of parliamentary elections": Russia moves to halt gas supplies to Moldova
13:16
OPINION
Putin sees Trump as weak
More news