Politico reported that on February 19, a number of unnamed EU diplomats revealed that Europe was preparing to provide Kiev with a military aid package worth at least 6 billion euros ($6.2 billion) despite negotiations between Russia and the US to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
The aid package is expected to include 1.5 million artillery shells and air defense systems and could be announced ahead of the EU members' visit to Kiev on February 24.
This is considered one of the EU's largest military assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia's special military campaign in 2022.
According to Politico's sources, the 6 billion euros figure could be just the first step, with potential support increasing to 10 billion euros ($10.3 billion), or even more, once countries have completed their reserve self-assessment.
EU members will also have the option to contribute military or financial equipment, with the funds being allocated according to the total national income of each country.
It is not yet clear whether the entire EU will approve the aid package, or it will be just an alliance of countries ready to join. A diplomat noted that a comprehensive consensus is unlikely as Hungary - a country that often opposes military aid to Kiev - is likely to deny it.
According to RT, the EU could use the aid package to pressure itself to participate in negotiations after being excluded from the US-led peace process with Russia.
Many EU officials have criticized Washington's unilateral approach to peace efforts, especially after US special missionary to Ukraine Keith Kellogg said the bloc would not be present when the US and Russia negotiated.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Ukraine was not left out of the peace negotiations process, but stressed that the success of the negotiations would depend on the level of trust between Russia and the US.
