The European Union is planning to offer substantial military aid to Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia, with a proposed budget of up to 20 billion euros over the next four years.

High Representative for European Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, revealed the plan ahead of a meeting of European foreign ministers in Brussels.

The financial support to Ukraine is intended to be long-term and will involve security commitments and guarantees. While the exact figure was not specified, it is expected that Borrell will propose providing five billion euros annually from 2024 to 2027.

European military aid to Ukraine is currently facilitated through the European Peace Facility (EPF), which allows member states to recover part of the costs incurred in supplying weapons or organizing training for Ukrainian soldiers. So far, since the start of the Russian invasion in 2022, 5.6 billion euros have already been paid out through the EPF.

While the EPF initially had a budget of 5.5 billion euros when it began in 2021, it has been supplemented multiple times by member states to support Ukraine. However, the current ceiling of 12 billion euros is still deemed insufficient to provide long-term support to Kyiv. The new proposal aims to enhance financial security and align with the G7's commitment to providing Ukraine with long-term security assurances.

A more detailed discussion on the proposal is scheduled to take place at an informal meeting in Toledo at the end of August. The EU's military aid is crucial in aiding Ukraine's defense efforts against Russian aggression and solidifying its security in the region. Photo by President.gov.ua, Wikimedia commons.