Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Naeini: If our national interests are attacked again, our response this time will be stronger and more destructive
Naeini: The war has proven that the settlers are defenseless against Iranian missile and drone forces
Naeini: Trump lacks an understanding of the true strength of the Iranian people and is so deluded as to believe he can change the reality of Iran's victory
Naeini: The defeat led to Trump's confusion and loss of balance, which was reflected in his ill-considered statements
IRGC spokesperson Brigadier General Mohammad Naeini: Trump's statements are a result of his defeat against Iran, and we advise him to abandon absurd policies
Gaza Government Media Office: The number of children martyred due to malnutrition has risen to 66
Saree: Loyal Yemen will not abandon its religious, moral, and humanitarian duties toward the Palestinian people
Saree: Over the past week, we carried out military operations targeting sensitive sites and military installations in Beer al-Sabe', Yafa, and Haifa via a number of ballistic missiles and drones, which were all successful
Saree: The operation was carried out via a Zulfiqar missile, which successfully achieved its goal
Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson, Brigadier General Yahya Saree: Our forces carried out a top-tier military operation targeting a sensitive target in occupied Beer al-Sabe', and it was successful

Aid to Ukraine has EU defense spending at record $260bln in 2022

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 30 Nov 2023 10:33
3 Min Read

The war in Ukraine, coupled with military aid pouring into the country for almost two years now, sends the European Union's military expenditures through the roof.

  • x
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presents Matti Maasikas, head of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine, with the two-volume set of Ukraine's answers to the European Union questionnaire in Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, April 18, 2022. (AP)
    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky presents Matti Maasikas, head of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine, with the two-volume set of Ukraine's answers to the European Union questionnaire in Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, April 18, 2022. (AP)

The European Union's military expenditures reached a record 240 billion euros ($260 billion) last year, in response to the war in Ukraine, according to the European Defense Agency (EDA).

The figure marked a six percent overall increase from 2021, with the EU's 27 member states boosting their acquisitions of new military equipment. The EDA reported that six countries raised their spending by over 10 percent, including NATO applicant Sweden, which increased by over 30 percent.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who leads the EDA, emphasized the need for armed forces to be prepared for a more demanding era, advocating increased defense investment. However, Borrell cautioned that despite the uptick in spending, the EU still faces "key capability gaps" and lags behind other global players.

Read more: Borrell slams 'Israel' for building settlements amid attacks on Gaza

The wake-up call provided by the war in Ukraine in 2022 prompted increased defense spending in Europe. After years of decline following the Cold War's end, military expenditures had already been rising annually since Russia acquired Crimea in 2014. Russia has announced a substantial 68 percent increase in its military spending for 2024.

The EDA's annual report highlighted a record 58 billion euros allocated in the EU to defense investments in 2022, primarily for procuring new equipment, although there was a slight decrease in spending on research and technology development.

Related News

EU plans WTO alternative as Trump escalates tariffs: FT

France's Le Pen hosts European allies in show of far-right unity

EU countries have depleted their stockpiles by sending weaponry worth tens of billions of euros of aid to Ukraine in the war with Russia. The EU is working to enhance production capabilities to meet the increased demands of the war, urging member states to sign joint contracts and collaborate on orders for military equipment.

However, building industrial capacity is a time-consuming process, and the EU is expected to fall short of its target to send one million shells to Ukraine by March. 

Read more: Ex-Pentagon official: All war stocks, weapons systems sent to Kiev

'Not a single round' for Kiev

Hungary and Slovakia publicly declared ending aid to Ukraine, and France announced its intention to minimize aid to Ukraine after Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu stated it would no longer provide from its own stockpiles and that Ukraine would have to purchase equipment from private companies "using money from a special fund."

Slovakian former Prime Minister Robert Fico, who is currently in the parliamentary elections, has also publicly declared that he will not support Ukraine's accession to NATO. Campaigning under "Not a single round" for Kiev, Fico has put Western states on their toes.

Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto even said his country would veto the 12th sanctions package by the EU if it targets Russian gas, oil, or nuclear energy. 

According to Szijjarto, any restrictions on those who have done good to Hungary by "saving the lives of Hungarians, for example through making it possible that we could buy vaccines," or contributing to its energy supply will be opposed.

Read more: EU aims to bribe Hungary to support Kiev as more allies take step back

  • Hungary
  • Russia
  • Slovakia
  • Ukraine
  • Josep Borrell
  • European Union
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a protest following the US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

Iran declares victory as ceasefire forces Israeli retreat

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Iran launches strikes on Israeli targets, despite alleged ceasefire

Iran victorious as ceasefire with 'Israel' takes effect

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Iranian worshippers carry their country's flags in a protest to condemn Israeli attacks on multiple cities across Iran, after the Friday prayers ceremony in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 20, 2025. (AP)

Iran warns of NPT withdrawal, Strait of Hormuz closure after US attack

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli occupation soldiers search for settlers amid the rubble of buildings destroyed by an Iranian missile strike in Bat Yam, central occupied Palestine, on Sunday, June 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran missile strike flattens Bat Yam, displaces 2,000 settlers

Palestinian fighters from the Islamic Jihad militant group riding on a truck with weaponry on display take part in an anti-Israel parade marking the 36th anniversary of the movement's founding, in Gaza City, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023 (AP)
Politics

Palestinian Resistance attacks Israeli forces in Khan Younis, Jabalia

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stands waiting to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for the talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, June 23, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran suspends IAEA cooperation, Araghchi blames Grossi for attacks

The commander of the Quds Force's Palestine Unit, Brigadier General Mohammad Said Izadi (Illustrated by Mahdi Rtail for Al Mayadeen English)
Politics

Who was Mohammad Said Izadi, head of the Quds Force's Palestine Unit?

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS