EU 'ready' to double support for Kiev by buying Ukraine-made weapons: Official
The European Commissioner for Defense Industry and Space says the European Union is ready to double its military support for Ukraine by purchasing weapons directly from local manufacturers, without increasing overall spending.
Andrius Kubilius wrote on his X account on Sunday that the EU and the US allocate around €40 billion annually for military assistance to Ukraine.
He argued that the cost of weapon production in Ukraine is roughly half of similar arms from the EU or the US, therefore, if member states and the US buy weapons from local manufacturers, the volume of weapons being supplied to Ukraine can be doubled without any additional spending.
“The real value of our assistance will rise to €80 billion,” Kubilius added.
According to Kubilius, this approach will not only strengthen Ukraine’s military capabilities but will also support its economy.
Senior Ukrainian officials have repeatedly called on European governments to join the so-called Danish model of assistance to Ukraine. This model is similar to Kubilius’s proposal and involves funding military support through purchasing weapons from Ukrainian manufacturers.
Kubilius also called on the EU members to utilize the bloc’s new Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative to strengthen Ukraine’s military capabilities.
SAFE will allow member states to finance military purchases for Ukraine, which in his view, will pave the way for implementing the “peace through strength” strategy.
“New SAFE loans, backed by the EU, provide Member States exactly this possibility: to use the loans for scaling up military support to Ukraine” he emphasized.
Kubilius also pointed out that the EU is preparing a “Plan B” in case the US under the presidency of Donald Trump decides to reduce its participation in supporting Ukraine or withdraw from peace talks.
This plan includes maintaining sanctions against Russia and at the same time strengthening military aid to Ukraine.
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