Brussels, 28 May 2024, (GNP): European Union (EU) defence ministers are meeting in Brussels to try again to raise military support to Ukraine.
The Tuesday meeting occurs as Ukraine and several EU nations aim to boost supplies of weaponry and ammunition, amidst Hungary’s attempts, which have often seemed to align with a pro-Russian stance, to obstruct aid.
As the third year of Moscow’s full-scale invasion unfolds, the sense of urgency has intensified, with Ukraine facing increasing pressure and prompting appeals from Kyiv along with stepped-up efforts by its closest allies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is currently on a two-day tour of Spain, Belgium, and Portugal, aiming to rally additional support. He has already secured several commitments.
Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib announced on Tuesday that Brussels will supply Ukraine with 30 F-16 fighter jets, with initial deliveries scheduled for this year, as reported by Belga news agency.
These aircraft will be provided as part of a security pact between the two nations, which includes Belgium committing to provide at least 977 billion euros ($1.06bn) in military assistance.
“Ukraine can only push back the invader if we provide better arms at faster pace,” Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said.
On Monday, Zelenskyy finalized a similar agreement with Spain, obtaining a commitment from Madrid for extra air defense missiles to assist in combating the nearly 3,000 bombs that he stated Russia launches against Ukraine each month.
Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren declared on Tuesday that the Netherlands will supply components for a Patriot air defense system to Ukraine. Additionally, the Dutch government is in discussions with other nations regarding sending additional components to assemble a comprehensive system.
Amid nightly barrages of Russian missiles and drones, Ukraine has been urgently appealing to its allies to send additional air defense systems.
Also on Tuesday, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal was scheduled to meet a group of EU leaders in Prague to discuss a Czech-led initiative aimed at supplying ammunition to Kyiv.
Ahead of the meeting, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala confirmed that the initial shipments of ammunition, acquired as part of the initiative from sources outside the EU, would reach Ukraine in June.
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Yet, an approximate 6.5 billion euros ($7bn) in military assistance remains blocked by the Hungarian government led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, widely regarded as Russia’s strongest ally within the EU.
Within the bloc, member states wield significant veto powers, and Hungary has persistently postponed the allocation of funds intended to bolster Ukraine’s defense.
Frustration among EU leaders towards Budapest has been mounting over the past year, as it has obstructed disbursements from a central EU fund intended to reimburse member states for weapons supplied to Ukraine.
The delay caused by Hungary also poses a risk of postponing the expenditure of billions more in interest generated from frozen Russian Central Bank assets, which the EU anticipates receiving starting in July.
Wecannot let European military support to Ukraine be taken hostage of [by] other decisions which have nothing to do with this specific issue,” EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said after a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels.
“Especially given the urgency of the situation – Ukraine needs the arms now,” he said.
