Kallas: Europe provided over €187 billion to Ukraine

Europe has already provided more than €187 billion in support to Ukraine, underscoring the continent’s commitment to helping Kyiv withstand Russia’s ongoing war, European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas said on December 1.

“The logic is very simple: the stronger Ukraine is on the battlefield, the stronger they are behind the negotiation table,” Kallas said, emphasising the link between military assistance and Ukraine’s leverage in diplomatic efforts, Caliber.Az reports per the European External Action Service.

During the meeting of EU Defence Ministers, ministers discussed urgent multiyear funding options for Ukraine, which Kallas described as a potential “game changer” for Kyiv’s defence capabilities. “Solid funding for Ukraine is key. In October, EU leaders agreed to fund Ukraine for the next two years. Ministers today insisted that we need to agree on the funding options as a matter of urgency,” she said.

Kallas also highlighted the importance of European defence readiness, noting that the EU must strengthen its own capabilities to deter further Russian aggression. “We do not have much time to act. Putin is unlikely to honour any agreement for long. And, if we are not strong, it is going to happen sooner,” she warned.

Ministers discussed initiatives such as the Defence Readiness Roadmap, capability coalitions, and the Military Mobility Package, which aims to ensure troops can be deployed rapidly across the continent.

Ukraine’s involvement in discussions was also underlined. Kallas noted that Ukrainian officials, including Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and NATO Deputy Secretary General Hanna Shekerinska, participated in parts of the talks. Ministers explored ways to enhance the EU’s two missions supporting Ukraine’s Security Guarantees, and planned the expansion of these missions “as soon as possible,” according to Kallas.

The meeting also focused on defence industrial cooperation. Kallas pointed to growing collaboration between EU member states and Ukraine, including private financing and joint production.

“Europe and Ukraine must build together, produce together and innovate together. It is a win-win for both sides. Ukraine has the battlefield experience, and we also need this for our defence industry,” she said, noting that the Netherlands had signed an agreement to establish a production line on its territory.

By Aghakazim Guliyev