Italy and Spain have made it clear that they are not yet ready to support the European Union’s proposal to allocate up to €40 billion in military aid to Ukraine this year.
The proposal, put forward by EU Foreign Minister Kaja Kallas, could potentially double the military support provided to Ukraine, as the EU and its member states allocated around €20 billion in 2024.
Following a meeting of foreign ministers from the 27 EU countries in Brussels on Monday, Kallas emphasized that her proposal enjoys “broad political support” while also noting that discussions over the details are ongoing.
Diplomats suggest that Northern and Eastern European countries strongly back the plan. Nations like Estonia, Denmark, and Lithuania are leading in providing aid, with over 2% of their GDP committed to supporting Kyiv between January 2022 and December 2024, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.
However, ahead of the meeting, the foreign ministers of Italy and Spain — the third and fourth largest economies in the EU — expressed that it is too soon to finalize a stance on the proposal. France is also reportedly raising concerns about the plan.
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani explained that the proposal requires more in-depth discussions, especially considering upcoming developments. “We are waiting for a phone call between Trump and Putin to see if any steps will be taken toward a ceasefire,” he said, adding that Italy also faces the challenge of finding funds to boost its own defense spending. “There are many expenses that need decisions,” he noted.
Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares remarked: “We will see how the debates unfold, but for now, no decision has been made on this issue.”
Albares also shared that Spain has already pledged €1 billion in military aid to Ukraine this year.
EU diplomats revealed that during the discussions, Slovakia made it clear that while it would not block the proposal, it would not contribute either. Both Slovakia and Hungary have refrained from providing military aid to Ukraine, though EU officials noted that the contributions would be voluntary and Slovakia’s position will not hinder the proposal.
