Espreso. Global

France and Greece block EU funds for Turkish drones for Ukraine, cite preference for European defense

22 February, 2024 Thursday
17:50

France and Greece, along with Cyprus, have vetoed the use of EU Peace Fund money to purchase Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones for the AFU, insisting that only European products should be acquired with European funds

client/title.list_title

Defense Express writes about it.

The intended purchase, aimed at meeting urgent Ukrainian defense needs, faced opposition from France and Greece, who stressed the importance of supporting European defense autonomy. Greece also expressed reluctance to financially support Turkey's defense industry.

According to Opex360, the French portal, Greece stated that its decision aligns with both European defense autonomy and a desire to avoid supporting Turkey's defense sector financially. France emphasized the need for European money to be spent efficiently and to support European interests.

This veto, however, raises concerns about the timely supply of necessary defense equipment to Ukraine from other EU countries.

Opex360 notes that the EU's Peace Fund is contributed to proportionally by member states, with Germany being the largest contributor. Germany has not publicly objected to the purchase of Turkish defense products for Ukraine.

Interestingly, Opex360 highlights a past incident where Estonia used EU funds to buy non-European defense products without facing objections. The report suggests a potential inconsistency in enforcing the rule.

The authors also mention a decrease in the use of Bayraktar TB2 drones by the Ukrainian military due to effective countermeasures from Russian anti-aircraft and electronic warfare systems.
 

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Thursday
30 January
21:30
Updated
Russia’s strike on Sumy apartment building kills nine civilians
21:25
Russian tanker accident in Kerch Strait: experts from Netherlands, Japan to investigate oil spill impact
21:10
OPINION
Russia doesn’t back any politician in Ukraine but uses elections to destabilize it
20:57
Ukraine ceasefire possible within 3–6 months, Finnish president suggests
20:39
Over 20 American volunteers missing in action in Ukraine war - media
20:21
Exclusive
What weapons has Israel provided to boost Ukraine’s air defense? Expert estimates
20:05
New EU sanctions could disrupt Russia’s oil exports
19:46
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, January 22-29
Russian troops hide in basements, launching attacks in Toretsk
19:27
Sweden announces $1.2 billion military aid package for Ukraine
19:08
Lithuania sends batch of short-range portable air defense systems to Ukraine
18:50
Ukrainian forces repel 33 out of 40 attacks near Pokrovsk - General Staff
18:34
FAB-250M-54 aerial bomb and 120-mm mortar shell
Ukraine deploys drones armed with 250-kg bombs to target Russia
18:14
Exclusive
May 9 end-of-war scenario is deliberate Russian disinformation tactic - Ukrainian general
17:55
Lithuanian military chief weighs sending peacekeepers to Ukraine
17:35
Russia deploys upgraded Shahed drones with shrapnel to kill more civilians
17:13
Ukrainian drone strikes deal major blow to Russia’s oil exports
16:51
PACE Secretariat rejects Ukrainian MP’s amendment labeling Putin terrorist
16:35
Sanctioned Russian oligarch held stake in Musk’s SpaceX through trust – media
16:14
Russia launches mass attack on Donetsk region, killing 1 and wounding 14, including children
15:52
HUR hackers attack Gazprom and Gazpromneft infrastructure – media
15:30
Ukraine's intelligence reveals who Russia recruits for war against Ukraine
15:16
OPINION
Israeli missiles for Ukraine: a long road
14:56
National Guardsmen place Ukrainian flag behind Russian lines in Donetsk region
14:50
Updated
Pro-Russian politician Georgescu calls Ukraine "fictional," says part of it will go to Romania
14:32
Exclusive
Charges against Ukrainian generals for Kharkiv defense failure raise doubts — ex-chief military prosecutor
14:15
Exclusive
Ukrainian delegation urges Trump to restore USAID assistance through PACE resolution
13:53
OPINION
Who will be harmed by U.S. grant support cut?
13:35
Ukrainian man sentenced to 11 years in Russia for looking for his mother in occupied village
13:16
Exclusive
USAID funding cut already felt after Russia's recent attack – Sumy volunteer leader
12:54
Ukraine authorizes silent logistics robot for military use
12:37
Review
TRML-4D: cutting-edge radar shielding Ukraine’s skies
12:16
Exclusive
Clashes near Pokrovsk match front-wide battle intensity — Khortytsia troop grouping
11:56
Ukraine reports 158 clashes at front on Jan. 29, repels 72 attacks in Pokrovsk sector
11:38
Review
Will Israel arm Ukraine, how to curb Russia’s arms production, and counter fiber-optic drones? Serhiy Zgurets' column
10:55
“Back then it was Hitler, now it’s Putin” — Holocaust survivor addresses German Bundestag
10:34
ISW reveals what could push Putin to concede on Ukraine
10:16
Exclusive
Ukraine’s GDP may drop 1.5% due to lack of USAID assistance — analyst
09:35
Russia loses 1,270 soldiers, 4 tanks and 54 drones in one day of war in Ukraine
2025, Wednesday
29 January
21:30
Exclusive
Russia aims to take control of railway connection in east of Kharkiv region - military expert
21:10
Luxembourg PM Frieden calls for clear security guarantees for Ukraine
More news