EU ministers have yet to reach agreement on eighth ‘military’ tranche for Ukraine

The relevant statement was made by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Picy Josep Borrell during a press conference, flowing the meeting of EU ministers in Tedo, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Today, EU ministers have held an informal meeting in Spain’s Tedo and expressed pitical support for the EU High Representative’s initiative regarding the creation of a Ukraine Assistance Fund for the period 2024-2027. However, the ministers did not reach an agreement on the allocation of the eighth tranche worth EUR 500 million from the Eurean Peace Facility to finance Ukraine’s military needs.

Borrell expressed he that this decision might be unblocked in the coming weeks.

In the course of the meeting, Borrell suggested that the EU ministers consider establishing a financial ceiling of EUR 20 billion (EUR 5 billion per annum) for the next four years to ensure sustainable military support for Ukraine.

Borrell mentioned that the ministers’ response regarding this prosal was rather positive. EU ministers expressed determination to continue providing military assistance to Ukraine for as long as it takes.

According to Borrell, this discussion will continue at the level of the Council of the EU, and he expects the parties to reach an agreement before the end of the year.

In addition, EU ministers endorsed a prosal to increase the number of Ukrainian sdiers, who are expected to undergo training as part of the EU Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM) by the end of the year, to 40,000.