#defense-funding

#defense-funding

The European political elite still holds onto the belief that Ukraine can somehow prevail on the battlefield if funded. This week is shaping up to be crucial for the European Union's policy on Ukraine. EU foreign ministers met in Brussels on Monday; EU heads of state will gather on Thursday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is meeting United States envoy Steve Witkoff. At the top of the agenda is the peace plan put forward by US President Donald Trump and continuing funding for Ukraine's war effort.

But the bloc is yet to put forth a concrete proposal to do so, pushing the decision to December, EU Council chief Antonio Costa announced. "Russia should take good note of this. Ukraine will have the financial resources it needs to defend itself against Russia's aggression and in the foreseeable future. The technical, legal and financial aspects of Europe's support need to be worked on, and we will return to this issue in the December European Council," Costa said.

Ukraine requires $120 billion in defense funding for the coming year as it continues to negotiate with NATO and EU partners for essential financial support.

Friedrich Merz acknowledged that Europe needed to increase its own defense funding and admitted to having been a "free-rider" in the past.

Senator Roger Wicker criticized President Trump's military budget as inadequate, claiming it would 'shred to the bone' military capabilities and support for service members.