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Europe discusses new 40-billion-euro military aid plan for Ukraine despite Hungary’s veto

17.03.2025 10:55
On Monday in Brussels, EU foreign ministers are deliberating on a new military aid plan for Ukraine worth up to 40 billion euros, with details to be presented by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
European Commission Vice-President and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas (R) and Polish FM Radoslaw Sikorski converse during a European Foreign Affairs Council at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, 17 March 2025.
European Commission Vice-President and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas (R) and Polish FM Radoslaw Sikorski converse during a European Foreign Affairs Council at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, 17 March 2025.Photo: OLIVIER HOSLET/PAP/EPA

Due to Hungary’s veto, the plan will not be an official EU package but rather a broader European initiative, open to non-EU countries like the United Kingdom.

A coalition of willing nations is expected to form, with voluntary contributions proportional to their economic strength, financing ammunition, air defense systems, and drones to meet Ukraine’s urgent needs. No final decisions will be made today - this is still the consultation phase.

As Poland’s top diplomat Radosław Sikorski highlighted in a social media statement, the first item on the Foreign Affairs Council’s agenda is negotiations on ending Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, followed by discussions on the Middle East.

Additionally, the Czech Republic plans to raise the issue of EU funding for Radio Free Europe after the U.S. cut its financial support.

(L-R) European Commission Vice-President and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas; Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger; German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski converse during a European Foreign Affairs Council at the EU (L-R) European Commission Vice-President and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas; Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger; German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski converse during a European Foreign Affairs Council at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, 17 March 2025 (OLIVIER HOSLET/PAP/EPA)

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Source: IAR/X/@PolandMFA