Italy and Spain Hesitate to Support EU’s New Ukraine Military Aid Plan
Reuters reports that Italy and Spain are not ready to support a new European Union (EU) proposal that could give Ukraine up to 40 billion euros ($43.67 billion) in military aid this year.
This plan, introduced by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, would require each EU country to contribute based on their economy’s size. If approved, this would double the EU’s military aid to Ukraine, which received around 20 billion euros in 2024.
According to Reuters, some Northern and Eastern European countries strongly support this proposal. They believe Europe must keep helping Ukraine, especially since the future of U.S. support under Donald Trump remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, countries in Southern Europe, including Italy and Spain, are hesitant. These nations have given less military aid to Ukraine than countries closer to Russia, such as Estonia, Denmark, and Lithuania.
Waiting for Trump and Putin’s Call
A key reason for the hesitation, as reported by Reuters, is that Italy and Spain want to see the outcome of an upcoming phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that his country must also focus on its own defense spending before committing more funds to Ukraine.
Similarly, Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said that Spain had already pledged 1 billion euros in military aid and did not wait for the EU’s proposal to support Ukraine.
Hungary and Slovakia’s Position
Reuters notes that Hungary and Slovakia, two EU countries that do not send military aid to Ukraine, will not block the plan, as contributions would be voluntary. Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto made it clear on social media that his country will not spend taxpayers’ money on weapons for Ukraine.
This debate highlights divisions within the EU—some countries want to increase military aid to Ukraine, while others prefer to wait and see how the war unfolds.
As Reuters explains, Italy, Spain, and other nations believe it is too soon to make a decision, especially with Trump and Putin possibly discussing a ceasefire.
This situation will continue to evolve, and as Reuters reports, the EU must find a balance between supporting Ukraine and managing internal priorities.
Credit: Reuters