Ukraine Seeks Additional €6.6bn in EU Defense Aid

Ukraine has asked its EU partners to provide an additional €6.6bn ($7.5bn) in military assistance through the European Peace Facility (EPF). According to the Ukrainian government, there is a six- to nine-month "window of opportunity" on the battlefield that the funding could help exploit.

Ukraine's total defense needs this year are estimated at around €136bn ($155bn), of which the state budget covers approximately €53bn ($60.4bn). Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov outlined the figures in a letter dated 26 June that was reviewed by Reuters.

Ukraine is also due to receive about €28.3bn ($32.2bn) for defense this year from the EU's €90bn ($103bn) loan package. However, even combined with domestic funding, that will not fully cover the country's military needs, according to Fedorov.

In the letter, the minister said EPF funding could become one of Europe's most significant contributions to Ukraine's defense if directed toward capabilities with the fastest and greatest military impact.

Russia's offensive has slowed this year. At the same time, Ukraine has launched successful counterattacks in some sectors of the front and continues to disrupt Russian logistics and oil revenues through medium- and long-range strikes deep inside Russian territory.

On 17 June, Fedorov also requested an additional $20bn from the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, on top of the $40bn already pledged.

(reuters, bak)