Europe Top Stories World EU Allocates €3.5 Billion for Military Support, Expanding Aid Beyond Ukraine Roman DialoJune 26, 20230417 views The foreign ministers of the EU countries have increased the financial aid for weapons and equipment. EU Allocates an Additional €3.5 Billion for Military Support The foreign ministers of the EU countries have increased the financial aid for weapons and equipment. The fund now totals approximately €12 billion and extends to countries beyond Ukraine. The EU is expanding its financial resources for the delivery of weapons and equipment to Ukraine and other partner countries by an additional €3.5 billion. This decision was made by the foreign ministers of the member states in Luxembourg, according to an EU spokesperson. The move raises the financial ceiling for the European Peace Facility to around €12 billion. The step is a clear political signal of the EU’s continued commitment to providing military support to Ukraine and other partners. “Today’s decision will once again ensure that we have the means to continue providing concrete military support to our partners’ armed forces,” said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell. Borrell further stated that the model has proven itself, as the facility has “completely transformed the way we support our partners in the defense sector. It makes the EU and its partners stronger.” Separate from the budget The EU financing instrument was established for military support to partner countries in 2021, prior to the start of the war against Ukraine. Originally, it was endowed with only about €5 billion for the period from 2021 to 2027. However, due to the Russian attack, these funds are far from sufficient. So far, approximately €5.6 billion has already been allocated for assistance to the Ukrainian armed forces. In addition to Ukraine, countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Lebanon, and Mauritania benefit from this funding. According to the German government, Germany finances about a quarter of the aid. The fund is separate from the EU budget, which is not allowed to finance military operations. It enables EU countries that supply weapons and ammunition to Ukraine to claim back a portion of the costs. Member states contribute according to the size of their economies.