Ukraine to receive 20 new Rheinmetall Ermine vehicles — here's what they can do
Rheinmetall said the deliveries are expected to begin in 2026.
EU aid
With Trump disengaged and EU complacent, Ukrainian reforms lose momentum
Russia's all-out war has accelerated Ukraine's push to join the European Union and NATO, as well as its dependence on Western loans and aid. Before, these things would have been heavily preconditioned on Ukraine implementing crucial reforms. However, the war has also eased the pressure on Kyiv to carry out
EU reportedly eyes riskier investments for frozen Russian assets to boost Ukraine aid
According to Politico, the proposed plan would redirect the frozen Russian assets into a special investment fund under EU control, allowing for higher returns without confiscating the principal.
Germany to supply new Iris-T air defense systems to Ukraine, rules out Taurus missiles
Germany will deliver new IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine under a three-year supply plan, President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a joint press conference with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who said Berlin has no plans to provide Taurus long-range missiles.
Kyiv proposes EU partners help directly fund Ukrainian military under new model
Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko said Kyiv is proposing a new model: EU partners would help fund the Ukrainian military, and in return, Ukraine would be further integrated into the continent's defense system.
EU to provide Ukraine with over 1 million shells over 2025, allocate over $2 billion for military aid from Russian frozen assets
"This is a historic decision, as weapons for Ukraine will be purchased at the expense of the proceeds from frozen Russian assets through the European Peace Fund," Denys Shmyhal said.
EU transferring new $1-billion tranche for Ukraine covered by frozen Russian assets
"We are grateful to our partners for supporting the economy and the rapid recovery of our country," Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said after meeting EU Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis in Brussels.
EU transfers $3.7 billion to Ukraine under Ukraine Facility program, PM Shmyhal says
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said the funds would support Ukraine's macroeconomic stability, adding that total financial assistance under the Ukraine Facility has now reached 19.6 billion euros ($21.1 billion).
$5.4 billion on ammunition for Ukraine 'realistic' goal, EU's top diplomat says
The EU is working on providing Ukraine with 5 billion euros ($5.4 billion) for ammunition, top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas said on March 20, as a much larger 40-billion-euro ($43 billion) package still lacks consensus.
Italy, Spain hesitant on EU's $43 billion military aid to Ukraine plan
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the proposal needed further discussion and that Italy was awaiting the outcome of the upcoming call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
EU plan to send over $40 billion in military aid has 'broad political support,' Kallas says
The initiative to provide Ukraine with 40 billion euros ($43.6 billion) in military aid has "broad political support" among EU member states, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on March 17 before the Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Brussels.
EU approves third $3.8 billion tranche for Kyiv under Ukraine Facility program
With this disbursement, Ukraine will have received nearly 20 billion euros ($21,7 billion) under the Ukraine Facility since the program was launched in early 2024.
'We won't be dragged into this' — Hungary opposes $22 billion EU aid package for Ukraine
"We won't be dragged into this; we will not allow Hungarian taxpayers' money to be used to finance arms shipments to Ukraine," Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said.
Lithuania backs EU plan for $43.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine, Reuters reports
Lithuania ranks among Europe's top defense spenders, allocating 2.85% of its GDP to defense in 2024, according to NATO estimates.
UK's Starmer says 'troops on the ground and planes in the sky' could secure Ukraine peace deal
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced today that an expanded coalition of nations is ramping up efforts to back Ukraine in peace negotiations with Russia, following a high-level virtual summit in London on March 15.
Trump's betrayal and Europe's response | Ukraine This Week
U.S. President Donald Trump's administration halted U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine as Europe prepares a post-America defense strategy.
EU members pledge $16 billion in additional support for Ukraine, Costa says
"Today, we have also tasked the Council to work urgently on further initiatives to address Ukraine’s pressing military and defense needs," European Council President Antonio Costa said.
EU to provide Ukraine with $3.7 billion tranche in March
"Europe is here to strengthen Ukraine in this critical moment. I can announce that a new 3.5 billion euros ($3.7 billion) payment for Ukraine will arrive already in March," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.
EU preparing military aid package for Kyiv worth $20.9 billion, Bloomberg reports
The additional military support would supply Kyiv with air defense systems, artillery ammunition, long-range missiles, and drones.
EU defense commissioner pushes back against Trump
After the Trump administration accused European allies of not pulling their weight in the support for Ukraine, the Kyiv Independent sat down with the EU's first-ever defense commissioner, Andrius Kubilius, to discuss whether Europe is ready to step up.
EU plans $6.2 billion military aid package for Ukraine ahead of US-Russia talks, Politico reports
The package is expected to include 1.5 million artillery shells, air defense systems, and equipment for military brigades. According to Politico, the value of the aid could increase to 10 billion euros ($10.8 billion) depending on individual EU member states' contributions.
US-Russia talks is 'the last warning for Europe,' Gabrielius Landsbergis says
The Kyiv Independent’s Martin Fornusek speaks with former Lithuanian Foreign Minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, at the 2025 Munich Security Conference as U.S. officials undermine Ukraine’s NATO prospects and territorial integrity ahead of peace negotiations with Russia.
Transnistria rejects EU aid offer under Moscow's pressure, Moldova's PM says
Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean said that Tiraspol rejected the EU's financial assistance allegedly due to conditions attached to the aid package. He attributed the decision to Russian influence.
Bulgaria to receive $519 million compensation for Ukraine military aid
Bulgaria has provided Ukraine with old Soviet-era military equipment, with funds received from NATO and EU allies being reinvested into purchasing modern Western weapons.
EU to allocate $36 billion of financial support to Ukraine
The European Union will provide 35 billion euros ($36 billion) in financial assistance to Ukraine in 2025 through the G7 ERA credit initiative and the Ukraine Facility program, European Commission's vice-president and trade commissioner announced on Jan. 22.
EU ready to lead in Ukraine support if US steps back, chief diplomat says
"If the United States is not ready for it, the European Union is ready to take the lead," Kallas said.
Hungary loses out on about $1 billion in EU aid
The aid package was conditional on Hungary implementing reforms to bring the country into compliance with EU standards by the end of 2024. Budapest failed to meet the requirements, a European Commission spokesperson said.
EU leaders call for more military aid to Kyiv, pledge Ukraine's inclusion in key decisions
"Only Ukraine as the aggressed country can legitimately define what peace means — and if and when the conditions are met for credible negotiations," said Antonio Costa, president of the European Council.
Can Ukraine sustain its F-16 fleet if Trump halts US aid?
As the outgoing administration of U.S. President Joe Biden rushes to provide last-minute aid to Ukraine before Donald Trump takes office in January, the State Department has recently announced a $266 million maintenance sales package for Ukraine's F-16 fighter jets. Trump has made no public comments about the Ukrainian
EU Defense Commissioner proposes $105 billion defense budget allocation, Politico reports
European Union Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius, has proposed allocating 100 billion euros ($105 billion) for defense in the next seven-year EU budget, Politico reported on Dec. 8.
EU announces 25 million euros in funding for Ukrainian NGOs, civil society
EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova announced 25 million euros ($26.5 million) in funding on Dec. 5 for Ukrainian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society organizations that will advance work related to Ukraine's eventual EU integration.
We shouldn't overestimate Russia's power, EU top diplomat Kallas says
In an exclusive interview with the Kyiv Independent, Kaja Kallas, the newly appointed vice-president of the European Commission and top EU diplomat, discusses Ukraine support and recent EU sanctions against Russia. Kallas visited Kyiv on Dec. 1, the first day in her new role.
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