Key facts
- The EU has agreed to release 6.6 billion euros ($7.5 billion) in military aid for Ukraine.
- The funds are part of the European Peace Facility (EPF).
- The EPF has provided 11.1 billion euros ($12.7 billion) to Ukraine since 2022.
- The 6.6 billion euros will be split into three tranches: reimbursements for delivered weapons, funding for EUMAM, and joint procurement.
- Hungary's former Prime Minister Viktor Orban had previously blocked the reimbursement mechanism.
The European Union has resolved a months-long stalemate over a 6.6 billion euro ($7.5 billion) fund for Ukraine, paving the way for significant new military support. The European Peace Facility (EPF), originally established to prevent conflict and provide non-lethal aid, had its scope expanded to offer direct lethal aid following Russia's full-scale invasion.
EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas announced the agreement on September 25, stating that the funds would be a "bad news for Russia." The EPF has already provided Ukraine with 11.1 billion euros ($12.7 billion) in support since 2022.
The impasse was partly due to former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's challenge to the reimbursement mechanism, a case that was dismissed on September 9. Following this, EU member states struggled to agree on reimbursement rates and whether funds should be rolled over into new support. The newly agreed 6.6 billion euros will be divided into three parts: 4.7 billion euros to reimburse EU countries for weapons already delivered to Ukraine, 900 million euros to bolster the EU's Military Assistance Mission for Ukraine (EUMAM) which trains Ukrainian soldiers, and 1 billion euros for the joint procurement of new equipment.
Some countries, including Germany and Sweden, have indicated they will pledge their shares of the 4.7 billion euro reimbursement pot towards new support for Ukraine. Further commitments could be announced at the upcoming EU defense ministers meeting on September 28.