As Russia’s relentless assault on Ukrainian cities continues, EU foreign ministers are facing growing pressure to step up military aid for Kyiv during today’s crucial Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg.
The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, had initially proposed a hefty €40 billion in military support for Ukraine this year. The aim was to strengthen Ukraine’s position on the battlefield and bolster its bargaining power in future peace negotiations with Russia. However, her plan has been met with resistance and delays, with EU diplomats raising concerns over its vague structure, the method of calculating contributions, and a lack of support from many Southern European nations.
Today, ministers are expected to revisit Kallas’ proposal with a more focused approach. The revised plan shifts the spotlight to a more achievable target: €5 billion to secure 2 million rounds of large-caliber artillery ammunition for Ukraine this year. According to diplomats, several EU members have already committed to covering the required amount, and Kallas is confident that the necessary artillery is available on the market for delivery this year.
“Everyone agrees that Ukraine’s request for €5 billion in ammunition, which President Zelenskyy made at the EU summit on March 20, should be expedited,” one diplomat shared following talks among EU ambassadors.
There’s growing consensus among EU members to salvage Kallas’ original plan, with many supporting the “Kallas plan 2.0.” “Half the member states are on board, and the proposal is nearly ready,” said another diplomat.
However, the thorny issue of contributions remains a sticking point. Kallas’ proposal to base each country’s contribution on its gross national income (GNI) has faced fierce opposition, particularly from larger countries like France, Italy, and Spain, who cite domestic budget concerns.
Despite this, many diplomats emphasize that with Russia showing no signs of backing down, the EU must act swiftly. “We can’t just sit back and wait to see what happens in US-Russia talks,” one diplomat remarked.
Meanwhile, the EU continues to condemn Russia’s brutal attacks on Ukrainian civilians, most recently the missile strikes on Sumy, which killed over 30 people on Palm Sunday. European leaders have warned that such attacks undermine the potential for US-led peace talks.
Hungary remains a major obstacle in the EU’s efforts to increase aid, with diplomats describing Budapest’s position as “completely out of touch,” focusing solely on the US peace plan and energy security.
Last week, Ukraine’s allies in the Ukraine Contact Group pledged a historic €21 billion in new military aid, including €11 billion from Germany and £4.5 billion from the UK, as European nations scramble to replace waning US support for Ukraine’s defense.
