Kallas 'optimistic' EU leaders can approve new military aid package for Ukraine next week
The EU's top diplomat said on Monday that she is "optimistic" leaders will quickly agree on fresh money to boost short-term military aid to Ukraine as Europe grapples with being sidelined from talks to end Russia's three-year-old war against its neighbour.
"Ministers broadly supported the new initiative for military aid for Ukraine, and of course, the details, and especially the numbers, will be decided and discussed at the extraordinary European summit on 6 March," Kaja Kallas told reporters after a meeting of foreign affairs ministers in Brussels.
The meeting, held on the third anniversary of the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, saw ministers discuss a proposal put forward by Kallas' service, the EU's External Action Service (EEAS), "to accelerate and focus the efforts of the EU and member states to meet Ukraine's most pressing short-term needs", according to a draft seen by Euronews.
Under the package, EU member states would pledge to deliver, "as soon as possible in 2025", at least 1.5 million rounds of large-calibre artillery ammunition, air defence systems, missiles, including deep precision strikes, drones, and support to the regeneration of brigades.
The latest draft of the document includes no set sum, although an earlier draft had earmarked €6 billion. The amount each member would have to contribute would be based on their current gross national income key. EU countries would also be allowed to choose whether to contribute "in kind" - by supplying the equipment- or in "cash".
The proposal also plans for payments the bloc will make to Ukraine this year with the proceeds from immobilised Russian assets to be deducted from the final agreed package. The coming two tranches to be disbursed should tally around €880 million.
"We need to discuss in details and take the time. The problem is that we don't have time," Kallas said.
"And that's why I really push that on 6 March we are able to take decisions because it's important to send also the signal that we are able to do this. So I am positive, or optimistic I would say, regarding this," she added.
The early March special summit was convened on Sunday evening by Antonio Costa, the president of the European Council, who said on X that "we are living a defining moment for Ukraine and European security".
"In my consultations with European leaders, I've heard a shared commitment to meet those challenges at EU level: strengthening European Defence and contributing decisively to peace on our continent and long-term security of Ukraine."
"I will continue to work together with (European Commission President Ursula) von der Leyen and all member states to be ready to take decision on 6 March," he added.
Costa, von der Leyen, most of the European Commissioners, as well as multiple EU leaders were in Kyiv on Monday to emphasise EU support for the country as the war enters its fourth year.
Von der Leyen unveiled a €3.5 billion package of EU financial assistance to inject additional liquidity into Ukraine's strained budget and facilitate, among other things, the purchase of military equipment from its domestic industry.
The €3.5 billion is an advance on a larger €50-billion assistance fund that the European Union established in early 2024, dubbed "the Ukraine Facility".
French President Emmanuel Macron will however mark the grim milestone in Washington for talks with US President Donald Trump. The Élysée said ahead of the meeting that Macron would bring "proposals for action" honed following several meetings last week in Paris between European leaders.
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