Germany Seeks to Channel Unfrozen €6.6 Billion into Arms for Ukraine. Poland Objects

The European Union is debating how to spend €6.6 billion from the European Peace Facility that was unblocked after Hungary lifted its veto. Germany wants the entire amount to be directed to Ukraine to help finance its defense needs. Poland, however, argues that the money should instead be used to reimburse EU member states for weapons they have already supplied to Ukraine.

According to Polish radio station RMF FM, the issue was discussed during a meeting of EU defense ministers in Nicosia.

Poland expects to receive about €450 million in compensation for military equipment previously provided to Ukraine.

Cezary Tomczyk, Poland’s Deputy Defense Minister, stated that the funds should go to the Polish budget and be used to strengthen Poland’s own armed forces. Warsaw argues that changing the reimbursement rules would break previous agreements among EU countries.

The dispute has emerged because the fund lacks sufficient funds to cover all claims. EU member states have requested a total of €43 billion in reimbursements. To address the shortfall, Kaja Kallas has proposed that countries receive only about 10% of the amounts they claimed, with the remaining funds earmarked for the EU’s training mission and joint weapons purchases for Ukraine.

Sebastian Hartmann, Germany’s Deputy Defense Minister, also called on partner countries to redirect these funds toward supporting Ukraine.

Germany’s proposal and Kaja Kallas’s plan are widely regarded as supported by the Nordic countries. France is also leaning toward this position, as the amount of compensation it expects to receive is relatively small.