EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell emphasized that member states are determined to prevent their citizens from losing their lives in the Russia-Ukraine conflict while continuing to provide military and financial support to Kiev. The EU has allocated up to €100 billion in various forms of assistance to Ukraine since the conflict began, including financial, military, humanitarian, and refugee aid.
Despite discussions within Brussels about utilizing income from Russia’s frozen central bank reserves to aid Kiev, a consensus has not yet been reached among EU member states or with allies. Borrell highlighted during a panel session at the World Economic Forum that Europeans are not willing to engage in direct military conflict in Donbass but are committed to assisting Ukrainians in their struggle against Russia.
Borrell acknowledged the challenges associated with allocating funds for Ukraine but reiterated the EU’s commitment to supporting the nation in its defense efforts. He stressed the importance of continuing to provide assistance to Ukraine and its people to help them withstand the ongoing conflict. The EU’s stance on supporting Ukraine remains firm, despite differing opinions on the duration and extent of financial aid.
The EU has been facing increasing controversy regarding the allocation of aid to Ukraine. In an effort to support the Ukrainian economy, the bloc recently agreed to provide €50 billion ($54 billion).
This decision came after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban withdrew his veto threat, as he was warned of potential economic consequences by other EU leaders.
Orban argued that Ukraine lacks the capability to defeat Russian forces and that the sanctions imposed on Russia have had a more detrimental impact on EU member states than on Moscow.
Similarly, Slovakia’s newly appointed Prime Minister Robert Fico expressed strong opposition to military assistance for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, instead advocating for immediate peace negotiations.
