EU countries agreed on this important funding for Kiev at the European Council summit in December 2025, but members still have to negotiate the official conditions for that funding after the proposal of the European Commission on January 14.
This leads to tense negotiations with France, the leading country in efforts to prevent money flowing into the US amid growing rifts in the transatlantic alliance.
French President Emmanuel Macron wants to give incentives to EU military companies to strengthen the bloc's defense industry, even if it means that Kiev cannot immediately buy the weapons it needs to use in the context of conflict.
The majority of countries, led by Germany and the Netherlands, believe that Ukraine needs more freedom in using the EU's financial support package for defense.
The parties refuted that France's push to introduce a strict "European Goods Purchase" clause would bind Kiev and affect Ukraine's self-defense capabilities.
Ukraine is also in great need of equipment manufactured by third countries, especially air defense systems and interceptor aircraft manufactured by the US, ammunition and F-16 spare parts as well as the ability to attack deep into enemy territory" - the Dutch government stated in a letter to other EU countries.
Germany proposes to expand procurement for defense companies from non-EU countries. The Netherlands proposes to spend at least 15 billion euros for Ukraine to buy foreign weapons that are currently not available in Europe.
France refutes that Brussels should find ways to maximize the value of its funding for Ukraine. Currently, only Greece and Cyprus support France's proposal to limit this program to EU companies.
