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