News - EU preparing plan to provide long-term security assistance mechanisms to Ukraine

The European Union has presented member states with a framework to give Ukraine lasting security commitments, including a mechanism for longer-term military support, the training of Ukrainian troops, and help to boost the country’s defense industry, Bloomberg reported. The draft paper, which was seen by Bloomberg, will be discussed by EU ambassadors this week and by the bloc’s leaders next month. It will also form the basis of consultations with Kyiv and the Group of Seven (G7) nations. The G7 members agreed at the 2023 NATO summit to coordinate a set of bilateral security guarantees with Ukraine aimed at deterring “Russian aggression” against the country. In turn, Ukraine has committed to continuing a series of reforms, including in the law enforcement and judicial systems, as well as in the security and defense sectors. The EU's framework program includes the following proposals:              “A predictable, efficient, sustainable and long-term mechanism for the provision of military equipment to Ukraine” that mobilizes the European defense industry              Providing training to Ukrainian armed forces              Greater cooperation with the Ukrainian defense industry to boost capacity and align standards              Strengthening Ukraine’s ability to counter cyber and hybrid threats as well as disinformation              Supporting Ukraine’s de-mining efforts and addressing contamination caused by explosive remnants              Helping Ukraine with its reform agenda relating to its EU accession process, as well as boosting its ability to monitor stocks of firearms, light weapons and ammunition and counter any illegal trafficking              Supporting the country’s energy transition and nuclear safety efforts              Sharing intelligence and satellite imagery The document states that support for arms supplies, as before, will be provided through the European Peace Fund, a mechanism that reimburses member states for what they supply to Ukraine. According to an EU diplomat in conversation with journalists, the initial EU plan to allocate 20 billion euros ($21.8 billion) over four years for compensating the transfer of weapons to Ukraine is at risk of falling apart because some member states, including Germany, could not agree on terms. Instead, EU countries hope to reach an agreement to allocate 5 billion euros in 2024 with commitments for ongoing support. EU leaders are also expected to discuss the European Commission's recommendation to officially begin membership negotiations with Ukraine at the December summit. Some streams of support for Ukraine from the EU are blocked by Hungary, as Budapest wants Brussels to first discuss its joint strategy toward Kyiv, said another diplomat.