EU Pledges Support for Ukraine but Delays Decision on €5B Artillery Aid

European Union leaders reaffirmed their commitment to Ukraine but stopped short of endorsing President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's request for €5 billion ($5.42 billion) in artillery ammunition funding. Speaking via video link at the Brussels summit, Zelenskiy urged immediate financial aid to strengthen Ukraine’s defense.

While EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized the need for tangible military support, the summit’s statement—signed by all leaders except Hungary’s Viktor Orban—only pledged continued financial assistance and urged urgent action to meet Ukraine’s defense needs. European Council President Antonio Costa noted that recent commitments totaled €15 billion, hinting at potential further contributions.

Kallas previously proposed a €40 billion military aid package for 2025, but opposition from some southern European nations stalled discussions. Meanwhile, concerns about Russia’s future aggression dominated talks, with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda warning that Europe must bolster its defenses to prevent becoming Moscow’s next target.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that Zelenskiy will meet with a coalition of supportive nations in Paris next week to discuss additional defense measures. EU leaders also debated the bloc’s defense strategies, emphasizing joint military projects and increasing European arms production. Macron highlighted Europe’s rapid transformation from a peace-focused economic bloc into a strategic power.

Disagreements over funding mechanisms persist. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis urged grant-based defense financing, while Italy’s Giorgia Meloni advocated for shared European instruments. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof opposed joint euro bonds.

Leaders also addressed economic challenges, stressing the need for regulatory reforms, clean energy investments, and capital market growth to fund defense initiatives while ensuring long-term economic competitiveness.