The EU can mobilize another €6.7-6.9B to purchase weapons for Ukraine through the European Peace Fund (EPF), though more work remains to be done before these funds can be used, said the High Representative of the EU, Josep Borrell.
He emphasized that the situation with Russia’s offensive in the north of the Kharkiv region and the bombing of civilian objects makes military assistance more essential and critical for Ukraine. Therefore, at the Council of the EU meeting, the EU’s defense ministers should work to overcome all the difficulties that prevent the EU from thoroughly and quickly mobilizing resources for the EPF, through which weapons are purchased for Ukraine.
“We have seven legal acts awaiting approval to mobilize around €6.7-6.9B. However, the legal acts that will allow the use of these funds immediately after approval have not even been discussed yet,” Borrell said.
The diplomat noted that the EU has the resources and potential, but legal acts have not yet been approved to implement the recently approved decisions on creating the €5B Support Fund for Ukraine within the framework of the EPF.