The EU is providing Ukraine with yet more military equipment and reassurances. During the recent NATO summit in Brussels, EU foreign ministers agreed to provide the country with another 500 million euros in military aid. The EU has now provided Ukraine with 2.5 billion euros in military aid, with another 500 million euros earmarked for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The EU’s commitment to Ukraine has continued as the foreign minister of Ukraine expressed gratitude for the new support.
The Netherlands announced it would no longer publicly disclose details of arms supplies to Ukraine. The United Kingdom’s House of Commons library has also released a report on its military assistance to Ukraine. Canada has also announced that it will provide Ukraine with 4500 M72 rocket launchers and up to 7500 hand grenades, as well as $1 million for commercial satellite imagery. Meanwhile, the Czech Republic has authorized the transfer of 20 light machine guns, 132 assault rifles and 70 submachine guns, 108,000 bullets and 1,000 tactical gloves.
The deal also includes an agreement to open the Black Sea and the Bosphorus to grain ships. That means they will be able to reach global markets. The agreement will be monitored by the Joint Coordination Centre in Istanbul, which is composed of representatives of Russia, Ukraine and Turkey. In addition to the EU’s agreement to supply arms, the deal also includes a framework for free trade and economic development.
After the first five months, Ukraine has already received half of the seven-year aid facility. It is not clear how this money will be used to purchase and deliver the weapons. The EU’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, wants to show the Ukrainian government that it is committed to helping Ukraine. He expects EU ambassadors to approve the new ban on Russian gold imports.
The European Commission has suggested that Russia should be banned from importing gold and oil. These proposals are set to be discussed this week by EU member states’ ambassadors. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrei Kuleba welcomed the agreement and urged the EU to provide additional military aid to Kyiv. The EU is also considering other measures, such as imposing a price cap on oil and banning Russian TV channels.
In response to President Zelenskyy’s request, President Biden promised Ukraine another $800 million in military aid. He promised to supply Ukraine with 2,000 Javelin and Stinger anti-aircraft weapons. He also restated that previous supplies of light and heavy artillery, as well as anti-aircraft and anti-tank defense systems, would be continued.
The EU’s contribution to Ukraine has now reached 2.5 billion euros. The EU’s monetary assistance is critical for Ukraine to maintain its financial stability in the face of the ongoing war with Russia. The EU has also provided the country with a gas turbine that will help the country generate its own energy and combat Russian military aggression. In exchange for the gas, Ukraine can purchase more Western-supplied weapons and other equipment.
