Ukraine war: EU foreign policy chief Kallas wants new military aid by March, talks on 17th sanctions package underway
According to Foreign Minister Kallas, the EU countries want to put together another aid package for Ukraine and are already talking about the next sanctions package against Russia.
On the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine, EU foreign ministers discussed their future support for the country attacked by Russia in Brussels. After the decision on the 16th package of sanctions against Russia, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced that a 17th package of sanctions was already being discussed. She also expects a new aid package from the Europeans for Ukraine by the beginning of March, as she said on the sidelines of the meeting on Monday. Kallas spoke of "broad support" among member states for her initiative.
The EU must put Kyiv in a “position of strength so that Ukraine can say no to a bad deal,” Kallas stressed, referring to the planned ceasefire negotiations between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Kallas said that the scope of the new military aid would be discussed and decided at the special EU summit on March 6. Council President António Costa had announced the crisis meeting on Ukraine at the weekend. In an internal discussion paper, according to the news portal Euronews , Kallas is calling on member states to provide at least 1.5 million rounds of ammunition for Ukraine, as well as additional air defense systems, missiles, including long-range precision strikes, drones and support in the re-establishment of brigades.
Nobody in Europe wants the war to continue.Peace can only be won through strength towards the aggressor.
Press conference following today's Foreign Affairs Council ↓ https://t.co/UbfkH3vWhN
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) February 24, 2025
The latest draft of the document does not contain a fixed amount, although an earlier draft had provided for six billion euros. Some figures of up to 30 billion euros are circulating in Brussels. According to a diplomat, the EU must ensure that this is really fresh money for Ukraine and not just an addition to previous commitments.
The amount each member would have to contribute would be based on a current gross national income key, according to the draft. EU countries would also be able to choose whether to make their contribution in kind or financially. The proposal also provides for the EU's payments to Ukraine to be made this year, with the proceeds from the decommissioned Russian assets deducted from the final agreed package. The next two tranches to be paid out are expected to amount to around €880 million.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha also took part in the talks in Brussels via video conference. Foreign Minister Tobias Lindner (Greens) traveled to the meeting on behalf of Germany. On the sidelines of the discussions, he demanded that the EU not only have a seat at the table in the talks between the USA and Russia, but also have an influence on the course of the negotiations.
Berliner-zeitung
