European Union leaders met in Brussels this week and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia. However, they did not reach consensus on a specific military aid package proposed by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and requested by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
No Agreement on Artillery Funding
In a joint statement on Thursday, all EU leaders—with the exception of Hungary’s Viktor Orbán—promised to continue providing Ukraine with "regular and predictable financial support." They also urged member states to step up their military assistance in response to Kyiv's pressing defense needs, as reported by HotNews.ro.
Despite these declarations, leaders did not approve Zelenskyy’s urgent request for €5 billion to purchase artillery shells—a reduced version of a larger plan originally introduced by Kallas. Her initial proposal to send 1.5 million rounds of artillery to Ukraine in 2025 was blocked by Hungary, prompting her to explore alternative coalitions of willing nations.
Diplomatic Missteps and Internal Hesitations
Kallas’ revised plan, calling for EU-wide contributions totaling €40 billion, also faltered amid reluctance from multiple states. Even France, the EU’s largest military power, hesitated to endorse the proposal. A scaled-back version seeking €5 billion for high-caliber munitions failed to gain sufficient traction despite support from Ukraine and some member states.
Diplomats cited several key missteps, including the lack of early consultation with major stakeholders such as France and influential EU figures like Ursula von der Leyen’s advisor Bjorn Seibert.
Additionally, ambassadors from France, Italy, and Slovakia later insisted that contributions be voluntary, diluting the plan’s urgency.
Hungary’s Isolation and Future Efforts
As with previous EU declarations, Hungary stood alone in opposition, refusing to endorse the latest statement of unified support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
A diplomat remarked that Orbán "has chosen isolation and an illiberal path of democracy against the clear interests of the EU and Hungary itself."
Efforts to provide aid are expected to continue next week. French President Emmanuel Macron has announced a summit in Paris on Thursday, where a coalition of willing countries will discuss further support for Ukraine. President Zelenskyy is slated to attend.
