Disagreements have arisen within the European Union regarding the use of allocated credit for Ukraine. This issue, particularly concerning arms supplies, has led to disputes among various countries.
Redaksiya reports that the plan for the use of the credit envisages that two-thirds of the funds will be directed towards purchasing weapons for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This plan primarily prioritizes the European and Ukrainian defense industries. However, according to documents familiar to journalists, Ukrainian military officials have estimated a need for military equipment worth 24 billion euros this year, which European countries cannot provide.
According to the terms of the plan, Ukrainian officials will submit their procurement plans to EU countries, and these plans will be reviewed based on a set of criteria. First, the bloc's member states will determine if Ukraine's domestic defense industry can fulfill the orders, and then they will investigate the capabilities of their own manufacturers. Great Britain will be in third place in this system, and the United States will be in fourth and final place. A diplomatic source told journalists that the goal is to ensure that the system is sufficiently transparent and that the administrative burden for Ukrainians to reach this level is not too heavy.
Journalists have learned that European officials have proposed that Ukraine purchase British Storm Shadow cruise missiles to fill this gap. They have proposed a four-tiered system that would ensure Great Britain has a superior position over the United States if it meets Ukraine's defense needs. The source added that the Baltic states, Scandinavian countries, as well as Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands support efforts to prevent French influence. Eight more countries, including Germany, have supported a more favorable approach to Great Britain but have not officially joined the coalition.
According to the diplomatic source, France disagrees with this proposal. Currently, Paris is primarily focused on efforts to ensure strategic autonomy, largely from the United States. This is related to the deterioration of relations with US President Donald Trump due to threats to seize Greenland. The source emphasized that France wants the funds allocated to Ukraine to be used to develop the EU's domestic defense industry, rather than to meet Kyiv's defense needs. This approach has led to internal complaints that it would limit Ukraine's defense capabilities against Russia.
In addition, President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously stated that Ukraine would receive additional batches of interceptor missiles for Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems. According to him, the relevant agreement was reached during a meeting with US President Donald Trump. A coalition of eleven European Union countries has proposed easing some restrictions to allow Ukraine to use its 90 billion euro credit to purchase British weapons. However, France wants this money to be spent within the EU. The publication notes that the coalition's proposal for Ukraine's arms procurement to be at the third tier, and disagreements within the European Union regarding the use of credit allocated to Ukraine have arisen. This issue, particularly concerning arms supplies, has led to disputes among various countries.