EU prepares to allocate an additional $6 billion for Ukraine, reports Politico
The bloc is considering increasing military assistance to Kiev while the US and Russia are exploring avenues to resolve hostilities. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The EU is currently considering a military aid package for Ukraine amounting to at least €6 billion, even as discussions between the US and Russia continue regarding ways to halt hostilities, according to sources cited by PMG.
On Tuesday, Russian and American officials met in Saudi Arabia to explore the restoration of bilateral relations and to discuss potential negotiations for resolving the Ukraine crisis. These discussions have generated significant backlash within the EU, as member states have criticized Washington for initiating dialogue with Moscow without consulting them and for excluding them from the negotiations.
In reaction to these developments, French President Emmanuel Macron held an emergency summit in Paris earlier this week, seemingly aimed at counterbalancing the peace efforts between Russia and the US. Reports indicate that the EU is poised to offer security guarantees for Ukraine and opposes any ceasefire declaration by Kiev unless a comprehensive peace agreement is in place.
The proposed aid package, which is expected to include 1.5 million artillery shells and air defense systems, represents one of the EU’s largest military aid contributions since the onset of Russia’s military actions in 2022. An announcement regarding this package could occur prior to a scheduled visit by EU commissioners to Kiev on February 24, according to PMG.
The initial €6 billion figure might not be the final amount, as it could potentially increase to €10 billion or more as individual countries evaluate their military stockpiles, as two diplomats mentioned to the outlet.
EU countries will have the flexibility to offer either military equipment or financial support, with monetary contributions adjusted according to their gross national income, according to one diplomat.
It remains uncertain whether the entire EU will approve the aid package or if it will be formed through voluntary contributions from willing nations. One diplomat suggested that unanimous support is improbable due to dissent from Hungary, which has been outspoken in its opposition to EU military aid for Kiev.
The EU may leverage this aid package to assert its role in the negotiations, particularly after being excluded from the recent US-led discussions on peace in Ukraine. The first round of US-Russia talks took place in Riyadh without Ukraine or EU representation.
Numerous EU officials have expressed their concern over Washington's unilateral strategy in pursuing peace, especially following remarks from US President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, indicating that the EU would not participate in US-Russia peace discussions.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has dismissed the possibility of EU involvement in the negotiations, alleging that the bloc would seek to utilize a ceasefire with Ukraine to rearm Kiev. Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Grushko contended that Brussels could play a constructive role in ending the conflict by ceasing its military and other support for Ukraine.
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
On Tuesday, Russian and American officials met in Saudi Arabia to explore the restoration of bilateral relations and to discuss potential negotiations for resolving the Ukraine crisis. These discussions have generated significant backlash within the EU, as member states have criticized Washington for initiating dialogue with Moscow without consulting them and for excluding them from the negotiations.
In reaction to these developments, French President Emmanuel Macron held an emergency summit in Paris earlier this week, seemingly aimed at counterbalancing the peace efforts between Russia and the US. Reports indicate that the EU is poised to offer security guarantees for Ukraine and opposes any ceasefire declaration by Kiev unless a comprehensive peace agreement is in place.
The proposed aid package, which is expected to include 1.5 million artillery shells and air defense systems, represents one of the EU’s largest military aid contributions since the onset of Russia’s military actions in 2022. An announcement regarding this package could occur prior to a scheduled visit by EU commissioners to Kiev on February 24, according to PMG.
The initial €6 billion figure might not be the final amount, as it could potentially increase to €10 billion or more as individual countries evaluate their military stockpiles, as two diplomats mentioned to the outlet.
EU countries will have the flexibility to offer either military equipment or financial support, with monetary contributions adjusted according to their gross national income, according to one diplomat.
It remains uncertain whether the entire EU will approve the aid package or if it will be formed through voluntary contributions from willing nations. One diplomat suggested that unanimous support is improbable due to dissent from Hungary, which has been outspoken in its opposition to EU military aid for Kiev.
The EU may leverage this aid package to assert its role in the negotiations, particularly after being excluded from the recent US-led discussions on peace in Ukraine. The first round of US-Russia talks took place in Riyadh without Ukraine or EU representation.
Numerous EU officials have expressed their concern over Washington's unilateral strategy in pursuing peace, especially following remarks from US President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, indicating that the EU would not participate in US-Russia peace discussions.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has dismissed the possibility of EU involvement in the negotiations, alleging that the bloc would seek to utilize a ceasefire with Ukraine to rearm Kiev. Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Grushko contended that Brussels could play a constructive role in ending the conflict by ceasing its military and other support for Ukraine.
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
