EU increases peace fund used for Ukraine by 2 billion euros
Brussels, Dec 12 (EFE).- The European Union on Monday approved a 2 billion euro hike to its peace facility budget, which funds aid to Ukraine.
The European Council increased the existing 5.5 billion European peace facility (EPF) budget by 2.2 billion euros and said the possibility of a further increase was on the cards.
“Today’s decision will ensure that we have the funding to continue delivering concrete military support to our partners’ armed forces. In less than two years, the European Peace Facility has proven its worth,” the EU’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said in a statement.
It has completely changed the way we support our partners on defense. It makes the EU and its partners stronger,” the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy added.
The Council said the move “sends a clear political signal of the EU’s enduring commitment to military support for Ukraine and other partners alike.”
The EPF has sent aid to Ukraine’s armed forces through six packages so far, as well as deploying military support to Mozambique, Georgia, Moldova, Mali, Somalia, Niger, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lebanon and Mauritania.
Military components of African-led Peace Support Operations and multinational units such as the Balkan Medical Task Force have also been financed by the fund.
The fund was established in March 2021 to finance all the bloc’s military and defense programs, to prevent conflicts, preserve peace and strengthen security and international stability.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, 86% of the budget’s funds for 2021-2027 have already been committed in 2022. EFE
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