Italy and Spain, two of the EU’s largest economies, are hesitant to support a proposal to pledge up to 40 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine this year. The proposal, put forth by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, aims to double the EU’s military support for Ukraine in its war against Russia’s invasion.
EU officials emphasize that continued support for Ukraine is crucial, especially given the uncertainty surrounding future U.S. support under Donald Trump’s administration. The administration has ended Russia’s diplomatic isolation and is pushing for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Trump is set to discuss the war with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which may impact the EU’s decision.
The proposal has received “broad political support” from northern and eastern European countries, but southern European capitals, including Italy and Spain, are more cautious. These countries have contributed less to Ukraine’s aid efforts, providing less than 0.5% of their GDP, compared to Estonia, Denmark, and Lithuania, which have given over 2%.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that the proposal requires in-depth discussion, considering forthcoming developments, such as the Trump-Putin telephone call. Italy also needs to allocate funds for its own defense spending. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares echoed similar sentiments, saying that Spain has already committed to providing 1 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine this year.
The division among EU countries reflects a geographical split, with those closer to Russia contributing more to Ukraine’s aid efforts. Hungary, with the EU’s most Russia-friendly government, is at the bottom of the EU table in terms of aid contributions.
As the EU continues to debate the proposal, it’s clear that not all member states are on the same page. While some countries are eager to increase their support for Ukraine, others are more hesitant, citing concerns about their own defense spending and the uncertainty surrounding future U.S. support.
