European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged EU leaders on Thursday to commit €5 billion ($5.4 billion) toward supplying artillery shells to Ukraine, arguing that military support would strengthen Kyiv’s position in future peace negotiations. However, divisions persist among member states over how best to assist Ukraine and enhance Europe’s own defense capabilities.
Speaking at an EU summit in Brussels, Kallas emphasized the need for tangible action rather than just verbal commitments, especially as U.S. President Donald Trump continues efforts to broker a resolution to the war, including warming ties with Russia.
Originally, Kallas had proposed a larger €40 billion military aid package for Ukraine, with each EU nation contributing based on its economic capacity. However, resistance—especially from southern European countries—forced her to scale down the proposal. Now, she is prioritizing what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has identified as the most pressing need: two million artillery shells, which would cost €5 billion.
"We need to take a concrete step, not just words, but actual action to help Ukraine right now," Kallas stated. "The stronger Ukraine is on the battlefield, the stronger it will be at the negotiation table."
Beyond Ukraine, EU leaders are grappling with the broader question of Europe's own defense preparedness, amid growing fears that Russia could target an EU member state in the future.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda reaffirmed his country's commitment to Kyiv, stressing the need for long-range missiles and increased military support. "We must rearm ourselves, or we will be the next victims of Russian aggression," he warned.
However, differences remain among EU nations. Countries closer to Russia, which have provided a larger share of military aid, favor more aggressive support for Ukraine, whereas southern European states have been more hesitant.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez distanced himself from the rhetoric of "rearmament," emphasizing that the security concerns of southern EU nations differ from those of the eastern flank. Meanwhile, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni pushed for collective EU defense financing that would not overly burden individual member states' debts.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof expressed openness to defense spending but remained opposed to issuing joint euro bonds to fund military initiatives.
All EU leaders, except Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, are expected to reaffirm their commitment to supporting Ukraine. Orban, a frequent critic of EU policies, dismissed the bloc as a “toothless lion” and contrasted its influence with that of the United States.
In addition to military aid, EU leaders are also tackling economic competitiveness, discussing responses to U.S. tariffs and other financial challenges. While there is general agreement on strengthening the EU’s global position, disagreements persist over specific policies and funding mechanisms.