European Union (EU) member states agreed Wednesday to provide Ukraine with an additional  €5 billion ($5.5 billion) in military aid.

Belgium, which holds the EU’s rotating presidency, said ambassadors from the bloc’s 27 nations had agreed “in principle” on the plan to support arms supplies to Kyiv in 2024. 

The contribution of €5 billion will go on EU-managed fund called the European Peace Facility to support Ukraine as it fights Russia’s invasion.

The fund operates as a giant cashback scheme, giving EU members refunds for sending munitions to other countries.

Compromise after months of wrangling 

It was delayed for months amid wrangling between states over how the fund should operate.

Germany demanded offsetting bilateral support for Ukraine against its contribution, while France demanded only weapons produced in Europe should be reimbursed.

Diplomats have reached a compromise that allows for some flexibility on “buy European” rules and considers bilateral aid value in calculating financial contributions of members.

“The message is clear: we will support Ukraine with whatever it takes to prevail,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell wroted on X, formerly Twitter.  

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba welcomed the decision, calling it a “powerful and timely demonstration of European unity.”

More to come…

lo/wmr (AFP, dpa, Reuters)