According to the proposal paper, the EU wants to provide Ukraine with five billion euros a year from 2024 to 2027. EU foreign policy chief Borrell pushed for the military training program to be expanded.
Ukraine can count on new far-reaching commitments from the European Union. It wants to provide the attacked country with up to five billion euros a year for defense needs over the next four years. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said at a press conference after a meeting of EU foreign ministers that it was about a “stable instrument” that would not just provide military support to Ukraine on a monthly basis, but over a period of several years.
According to him, this will be done through a dedicated section within the already existing European Peace Facility (EPF) fund. “It’s still the same instrument, the European Peace Facility, which has worked very well,” Borrell said. The EPF fund was set up in 2021 in addition to the regular EU budget to support third countries and is now primarily used to help Ukraine.
Borrell: New training goals establish
Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock had signaled prior approval for further military aid. However, she expressed reservations in view of the sums in the room. Borrell’s plans go even further. He suggested assuring the government in Kiev a significant expansion of the military training program for the Ukrainian armed forces.
If circumstances allow, a gradual transfer of training activities to Ukraine could even be considered. This emerges from a proposal paper sent to the member states, which is available to the dpa news agency.
Current plans envisage training 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers in EU countries. This goal will soon be reached, however, because 25,000 of them have already completed or are currently completing a training program. “New quantitative and qualitative training goals will have to be defined shortly,” says the proposal paper.
What are the other commitments?
The background to Borrell’s proposals is a declaration made by the heads of state and government of the EU states at the end of June. It states: “The EU and its member states stand ready to participate in future security commitments to ensure long-term stability in Ukraine.”
Borrell also recommends using EU money to support the delivery of modern fighter jets and missiles. According to the paper, in addition to the expansion of the training program and further arms deliveries, he wants to assure Ukraine of more cooperation in the production of armaments. According to diplomats, it will only become apparent in the next few months whether Borrell’s proposals will be formalized and implemented one-to-one.
Iran is also the target of sanctions
In contrast, the extension of sanctions against Russia is much more specific. According to the decision of the EU foreign ministers, these should last until the end of January. Among other things, they include measures against Russian banks and export bans on goods that can be used for military and civilian purposes.
In addition, the EU imposed further sanctions to prevent Iran from producing drones for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. In the future, companies from the EU will no longer be allowed to deliver parts to Iran that are needed for the development and construction of unmanned aerial vehicles.
Punitive measures were also taken against five other Iranians who are said to be responsible for the development and sale of drones to Russia. They provide for assets held in the EU to be frozen. In addition, those affected are no longer allowed to enter the EU.