EU Agrees to Release €6.6 Billion for Ukraine

European Union member states agreed on September 25 to release €6.6 billion from the European Peace Facility for Ukraine, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said. The agreement sets out how the funds are to be allocated, but does not establish how much will become new direct assistance: most is designated to reimburse member states, which will decide whether to redirect their shares to Ukraine. Kallas said the package comprises €4.7 billion in reimbursements for military equipment already supplied by EU countries, €900 million for the EU Military Assistance Mission for Ukraine, and €1 billion for joint procurement of equipment. The mission supports training for Ukrainian soldiers in EU countries. The agreement was reached at the political level in Brussels, according to one account, and several legislative acts still need to be adopted before the funds are actually released. Some governments have indicated they may send reimbursement money back to Ukraine as additional aid. Kallas said several countries had signaled that intention; Germany and Sweden were named in one account.