European Union countries may significantly increase military support for Ukraine if US President Donald Trump does not convince Vladimir Putin to quickly end the war, European Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius has said. He said the EU and the US have so far provided Kyiv with military aid worth about 40 billion euros a year, but the funds could be used more effectively by channeling them into buying cheaper weapons directly from Ukrainian manufacturers. “This would effectively double the amount of weapons Ukraine receives for the same 40 billion euros. The real value of our support would have grown to 80 billion euros,” Kubilius wrote in social network X.
He also reminded that EU countries have a new tool to help Ukraine: they can use defense loans to finance military purchases for Kyiv. “This is how the formula “Peace through strength” can truly work in practice. Credits are strength for Ukraine!” – Kubilius concluded. As part of the ambitious rearmament plan adopted by the EU this year, the European Commission will provide €150 billion in loans to enable rapid joint procurement and production of weapons. The new financial opportunities will allow EU countries to invest in arms production in Ukraine or team up with local companies to ensure the integration of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex with the European one, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen explained.
