The foreign ministers of EU countries approved another 500 million euros for the supply of weapons and equipment to the Ukrainian armed forces. The announcement was made by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Monday night after a meeting with ministers in Brussels. This increases EU funds available for military aid to Ukraine to two billion euros.
A first €500 million package was approved at the end of February, followed by two more in March and April. According to EU information, the money will be used to finance personal protective equipment, fuel, but also weapons for defence. According to Borrell, the additional €500 million will be used to supply artillery pieces and armored vehicles, among other things.
Funds for military aid come from the so-called European Peace Fund. It is a new EU funding instrument that can also be used to strengthen the capabilities of armed forces in partner countries. For the period from 2021 to 2027, the peace mechanism is endowed with around five billion euros. The formal legal act for the additional €500 million will likely be adopted in the coming weeks. Borrell announced the new funds last Friday.