EU will need to send 20% of defense spending to Ukraine if US cuts aid
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Earlier this month, Germany's Kiel Institute for the World Economy stated that Europe would need to quadruple the present amount and timing of military aid to Ukraine to replace the backing Kiev receives from the US in 2024.
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A soldier of the 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov of the National Guard camouflages a 155mm self-propelled gun M109 Paladin at the front line, near Kreminna, Lugansk region, Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024 (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
According to an EU official who spoke to The Guardian, European nations must devote around 10% of their defense budget to Ukraine for it to win, and this amount will climb to 20% if the US quits assisting Kiev.
European countries are also looking for companies that can enhance ammunition output in the short term, according to the publication.
Earlier this month, Germany's Kiel Institute for the World Economy stated that Europe would need to quadruple the present amount and timing of military aid to Ukraine to replace the backing Kiev receives from the US in 2024.
Western nations, notably European Union members, have been giving military and financial assistance to Kiev since the beginning of the war in 2022 while the Kremlin has repeatedly cautioned against this, claiming that it will lead to further escalation of the conflict.
Half of military aid to Ukraine suffer delay: Ukraine Defense Minister
Half of the military aid provided by Ukraine's allies was not delivered on time, Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov revealed on Sunday.
Talking at the "Ukraine, Year 2024" conference held in Kiev, Umerov warned that without timely deliveries, war efforts become complicated.
Ukraine suffered a significant battlefield loss earlier this month after Russian forces took control of the strategic city of Avdiivka following weeks of heavy battles. Kiev said losing the city was primarily attributed to a shortage in ammunition, which is in great part owed to an ongoing standstill in the US Congress.
Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine is experiencing delays in promised shipments during last year's unsuccessful counteroffensive, adding that air defense is critical to "saving civilian lives" and "strengthening our army on the frontline."
Western support for Ukraine is facing challenges as Ukraine piles growing battle losses against the Russian military. These challenges include dwindling public support in European countries due to domestic economic crises, as well as challenges in maintaining financial and military aid for the war-torn ally.
Moreover, Washington, as Kiev's primary aid provider, has encountered obstacles in renewing funds to Ukraine due to deep bipartisan divisions on prioritizing foreign assistance over pressing domestic economic and social issues. These disputes are compounded by the absence of a clear exit strategy.
EU still undecided on using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine funding
According to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, although the matter of using profits from Russia's frozen assets for Ukraine's reconstruction was brought up by US President Joe Biden at the G7 summit, the European Union remains undecided about its outcome.
The newspaper noted that Germany, France, the European Commission, and the European Central Bank are still expressing doubts regarding the confiscation of Russia's frozen assets as a result of it possibly bringing "difficult" legal consequences and affecting the eurozone's reputation.
Simultaneously, the United Kingdom voted in favor of the idea but the summit's final statement contained provisions only regarding the matter of boosting efforts to review the procedure's technical aspects.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak urged the EU to undertake "bolder" actions and said that the G7 should seek lawful ways to seize the assets and transfer the money to Ukraine.
