EU to take up baton of Ukraine support after large-scale aid from US
EU to help Ukraine (Getty Images)
Approval by the US House of Representatives of over $60 billion in aid throws a lifeline to Ukraine. Europe is gearing up to pitch in, too, according to Bloomberg.
For Europe, which has already provided €150 billion in aid, the next steps include meeting demands for bolstering air defense and deciding on the use of frozen Russian assets.
Europe is "close to a political agreement" on using proceeds from these assets' unexpected revenues, with the first collection slated for July 1, said Belgian Finance Minister Vincent Van Peteghem.
Ministerial meeting
Foreign ministers of the bloc's nations will discuss Ukraine on April 22. Joining them will be their defense counterparts for talks, along with Ukraine's foreign and defense ministers.
EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg urge European nations to step up efforts in supplying arms to Ukraine, particularly air defense assets.
Following a video conference of NATO defense ministers with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on April 19, Stoltenberg stated he anticipates similar announcements in the near future.
He said that NATO has identified existing alliance capabilities, and there are systems that can be provided to Ukraine. Besides Patriot allies, other weapons, including SAMP/T, can be provided.
Currently, Germany is the only EU member to announce sending additional Patriot systems in response to Ukraine's recent calls.
US assistance
On April 20, the US House of Representatives approved over $60 billion to Ukraine. On Tuesday, April 23, the Senate will address this issue, followed by President Joe Biden signing the approved bill. The White House has already pledged that the new aid package to Ukraine will be disbursed in the shortest possible timeframe.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine has a chance to seize the initiative in the war with Russia, but for this, the US must provide Ukrainian forces with the necessary weapons.
