European Union countries, which are seeking to strengthen Ukraine’s position amid the start of negotiations between Russia and the United States, are preparing a package of military aid to Kiev worth at least €6bn, Politico reported, citing three European diplomats.
The package will be one of the largest since the start of full-scale military operations in 2022, as it is expected to be officially announced on the eve of 24 February.
According to the newspaper, the arms shipment will include ‘everything’ from 1.5 million artillery shells to air defence systems. The two interlocutors did not rule out that its value could rise to €10bn if EU countries, after studying the stockpile, realise they can send Ukraine more.
The increase in military support should help Ukraine strengthen its forces to defend its cities from air attacks amid preparations for peace talks, the newspaper said. It is also meant to show EU support, as no concrete decisions were made at an emergency summit of European leaders in Paris on 17 February.
European diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas said that since February 2022, the EU has allocated €134bn to Kiev, including €50bn in military aid. The Russian authorities condemn the support for Ukraine, saying that it prolongs the conflict.
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