EU nations are working on a new €40 billion military aid package for Ukraine, but disagreements over funding and participation are slowing progress.
EU foreign ministers met on Monday to discuss the plan, which aims to send weapons, air defense systems, drones, and ammunition to Ukraine in 2025.
“There is strong support for this plan, but the details still need work,” said Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat. “We must act fast to help Ukraine defend itself.”
What’s in the Plan?
The proposal includes €5 billion for 2 million rounds of artillery shells, plus funds for missiles, fighter jets, and non-lethal aid.
EU leaders will discuss the plan at a Brussels summit on Thursday. However, an early draft of the summit report does not mention the Kallas proposal directly.
Countries Divided Over Funding
Many EU nations, including Germany, Poland, Sweden, and the Baltic states, support a quick agreement with a high budget. But major details remain unclear.
The main disputes are about who will contribute and how funds will be calculated. Some diplomats say talks are complex, and a deal may take longer than expected.
One idea is to form a “coalition of the willing”—a group of countries that fund the initiative voluntarily. This would allow the EU to bypass Hungary, which has blocked past aid to Ukraine.
Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Monday, “We will not let Hungarian taxpayers’ money be used for Ukraine’s weapons.” Slovakia also refuses to join.
Can Non-EU Countries Join?
The plan may also include Norway and the United Kingdom, but it’s still unclear how they would participate.
A key question is how much each country should pay. One proposal suggests basing contributions on Gross National Income (GNI), so wealthier countries pay more.
Smaller nations support this idea, as they have already contributed more than their fair share. But France, Italy, and Spain hesitate because they would need to increase their payments.
One EU diplomat said, “This system would ensure all countries contribute fairly.”
Concerns Over Double Counting
Another issue is how to count pledged aid. The latest draft says any aid given after February 24, 2025, will count toward the total fund. But some fear double counting, where countries report the same aid both nationally and under the EU fund.
“The [Kallas] plan focuses attention, but the debate over counting aid is like arguing if a cat is black or white—it’s still a cat,” joked an EU diplomat.
Future Security Guarantees
It’s also unclear how long-term security support, such as EU forces monitoring a ceasefire, would fit into the budget.
Another key question is how the EU will use €18 billion in profits from Russia’s frozen assets. Many member states want more details before committing.
Despite strong support, the final details still need negotiation. EU leaders will discuss the plan at Thursday’s Brussels summit, but a final deal may take more time.
