Brussels Considers Additional €5 Billion Defense Boost for Ukraine

The European Union is set to discuss providing Ukraine with an additional €5 billion in military aid, according to a draft document cited by Radio Svoboda on February 18.

Ambassadors from EU member states are expected to review the proposal in the coming days.

The aid package includes 1.5 million rounds of large-caliber artillery ammunition, air defense systems, long-range precision missiles, and drones.

It also covers support for the restoration of Ukrainian brigades, including training and equipping military personnel.

The draft document states that some of the assistance will be directed toward Ukraine’s defense industry, with EU and Ukrainian defense manufacturers collaborating on relevant initiatives.

The meeting of EU ambassadors is scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, in Brussels. The draft decision emphasizes that “the European Union will provide Ukraine with military support as much as necessary and as intensively as necessary.”

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, the EU has provided Ukraine with €134.5 billion in aid, including €48.5 billion in military assistance.

Meanwhile, Reuters reported that the Trump administration is exploring ways to encourage European nations to purchase more American-made weapons for Ukraine. According to sources cited by the publication, this is one of several ideas under discussion to sustain arms deliveries to Kyiv without relying heavily on U.S. budget funds.

In a related development, The EU is preparing a €700 billion ($732.2 billion) defense package for Ukraine, the announcement is delayed until after Germany’s February 23 elections.