Russia

EU Agrees on €5B for Ukraine Weapons Fund

MAR 14 2024·Updated MAR 15 2024

Story

Image credit: Roman Chop/Global Images Ukraine/Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images

The Facts

After months of negotiations, EU countries on Wednesday agreed "in principle" a new €5B ($5.5B) assistance fund for military aid to Ukraine.
RFI
The agreement, when formally passed, will create a new initiative called the Ukraine Assistance Fund. It will fall under the existing European Peace Facility (EPF) — a mechanism that allows EU countries to be reimbursed for the weapons they provide to Ukraine.
Politico
"We made it," the EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said on the X platform, formerly Twitter, shortly after the deal. "The message is clear: we will support Ukraine with whatever it takes to prevail," he added.
X
During negotiations, Germany — the EU's largest provider of Ukraine military aid — wanted 100% of the aid provided to be deducted from contributions made to the EPF. Ultimately, according to two sources who spoke to Politico, they agreed to a figure below 50%.
Politico
Meanwhile, France had insisted on a "buy European" policy that stipulated reimbursements had to be for weapons produced in the EU. However, while EU weapons will be prioritized, exceptions were worked into the agreement to allow for non-EU weapons to be reimbursed if the weapons Ukraine needs cannot be provided in a timely basis.
Reuters
The final agreement is expected to be approved at an EU meeting of foreign affairs ministers that is set to take place next week. According to the EU, the EPF has already allocated roughly €6.1B ($6.7B) in military aid to Ukraine.
Al Jazeera

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The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

This is much-welcome news for Ukraine which is in desperate need for the military aid amid Washington's inability to secure additional funds. It also reaffirms the EU's commitment to Ukraine, demonstrating that it will stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes to prevail.

Politico

Establishment-critical narrative

After two years of grueling war, it's clear that the US and NATO project of fighting a proxy war against Russia has failed. Instead of continuing this wrong-headed policy of continuing to arm Ukraine and escalate the conflict, Western leaders need to reverse course and instead push for peace.

Salon