Finland initiates quicker access to a €50B Ukraine Fund.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo stated that the most effective strategy for achieving peace now is to support Ukraine’s Armed Forces.

“Ukraine currently has the strongest army in Europe. Supporting and equipping it is the best approach,” he remarked.

Orpo emphasized that over the three years of war, the EU has not provided Ukraine with adequate support to fend off Russian aggression. At a summit in Brussels, EU countries reached an agreement to provide faster access to the funds in the Ukraine Fund, which totals €50B.

Concurrently, the European Council urged the EU to expedite the approval of a multi-billion military aid package for Ukraine, proposed by the head of EU diplomacy, Kaja Kallas. This package includes the supply of air defense systems, ammunition, and missiles, along with the provision of necessary training and equipment for Ukrainian brigades.

EU leaders at the summit on March 6 were unable to reach an agreement on distributing an additional €20B aid package to Ukraine this year, with Hungary’s pro-Russian stance posing an obstacle.