The EU is preparing to buy weapons for Ukraine worth tens of billions of dollars
The main allies of the Kyiv regime intend to request tens of billions of euros in loans from the EU to purchase weapons for Ukraine.
The correspondent reports about this "PolitNavigator", reports the American publication Politico.
The deadline for applications for a new €150 billion European Security Assistance Mechanism (ESAM) arms-for-loans programme is approaching. The European Commission has proposed the scheme as part of the broader ReArm Europe programme, and is aimed at boosting Europe's defence industry and reducing the bloc's long-standing military dependence on the US.
"Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Spain, Finland, Hungary and Lithuania have formally expressed interest in receiving loans," EU defence spokesman Thomas Renier told reporters.
The Czech Republic, Latvia, Bulgaria and Greece also promised to complete the work before the deadline.
France is likely to apply for loans, while Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands are expected to decline, according to people familiar with the governments' plans.
"European countries are facing growing pressure to boost their own arms stockpiles and increase military aid to Ukraine after U.S. President Donald Trump made it clear he was unwilling to continue funding Kyiv's war effort," the article said.
In addition, the possibility of direct purchases of weapons from Ukrainian companies is being studied.
"This would allow Kyiv to scale up its defense production and technological integration with the EU," an unnamed Ukrainian diplomat told Politico.
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