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EU Could Double Military Aid to Ukraine If Trump Does Not Convince Putin, Says EU Commissioner

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Maryna_kulakova
Maryna Kulakova
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EU Could Double Military Aid to Ukraine If Trump Does Not Convince Putin, Says EU Commissioner
European Commissioner for Defense Industry and Space Andrius Kubilius looks on during join press conference with Poland's Minister of Defense after their meeting at the Defense Ministry in Warsaw, Poland, on April 2, 2025. (Source: Getty Images)

European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius said the European Union could double its military support for Ukraine if US President Donald Trump is unable to convince Russian leader Vladimir Putin to agree to peace.

According to Kubilius, the European Union has the ability to significantly increase military aid to Ukraine by sourcing weapons directly from Ukrainian manufacturers.

Writing on X, he pointed out that the US and EU currently allocate around €40 billion (approximately $43 billion) annually for Ukraine’s defense. However, he argued that these funds could be used more effectively if invested in Ukraine’s own defense industry, where production costs are considerably lower.

"If Putin isn’t convinced by Trump to make peace, we could bring forward more convincing arguments for peace very quickly — by greatly increasing our military support to Ukraine," Kubilius stated.

He explained that weapons produced in Ukraine cost roughly half as much as those made in the EU or the US, meaning the volume of weapons supplied could effectively be doubled without raising overall expenditures.

"But we can spend that same amount procuring modern weapons in Ukraine — which would cost about half as much as those made in the EU or US. This would effectively double the volume of weapons Ukraine receives for the same €40B. Our support’s real value would rise to €80B," he added.

Kubilius also highlighted the EU’s so-called defense loans, which allow member states to finance arms purchases for Ukraine. In his view, this mechanism opens the door to a strategy of “peace through strength.”

Previously, it was reported that the international financial institution Euroclear is set to redistribute €3 billion from frozen Russian funds, according to Reuters, citing internal documents and informed sources.

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