EU Calls for €5 Billion Military Aid to Support Ukraine in Ongoing Conflict

During a recent summit in Brussels, Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief, called for immediate financial support for Ukraine’s military. She urged EU member states to contribute €5 billion (approximately $5.4 billion) to ensure that Ukrainian forces can secure essential ammunition in the ongoing conflict with Russia. Kallas emphasized the necessity for member states to back Ukraine not merely with statements but through substantive actions. This comes at a pivotal time for Ukraine as it faces continued aggression from Russian forces, necessitating robust military support. Originally, Kallas proposed a comprehensive strategy involving military aid commitments ranging from €20 billion to €40 billion for this year alone. However, this plan faced challenges as many EU countries grapple with substantial debt, limiting their ability to commit the required resources. During her discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the summit, Kallas expressed eagerness to learn more about his recent dialogues with US President Donald Trump, indicating the significance of international cooperation in addressing the crisis. In a noteworthy development, Kallas welcomed Trump's announcement that the United States would seek to provide additional air defense systems for Ukraine, highlighting the critical role of air defense in bolstering Ukraine's military capacity. She described this support as essential at this juncture.