Ukraine needs ‘predictable financing’ to defeat Russia — EU chief

DAVOS, Switzerland — European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday Ukraine’s allies needed to guarantee stable backing for Kyiv as questions swirl over future support from the United States and EU.

“Ukraine can prevail in this war. But we must continue to empower their resistance,” the head of the European Union’s executive arm told the World Economic Forum in Davos.

“Ukrainians need predictable financing throughout 2024 and beyond. They need a sufficient and sustained supply of weapons to defend Ukraine and regain its rightful territory.”

EU leaders will hold a summit on February 1 to try to overcome Hungary’s veto on providing 50 billion euros ($54.5 billion) in financial aid to Ukraine over the next four years.

The government in Kyiv desperately needs the funds to prop up its economy and keep services working as Russia’s all-out war heads towards its second anniversary.

Budapest — Moscow’s closest ally in the 27-nation EU — has signalled it could agree to the aid if it is given the chance each year to veto further payments.

EU officials say that if they cannot win over Hungary, the other 26 member states will look to provide cash outside the EU’s budget, but this is likely to be for a shorter timeframe.

The debate in Europe comes as Ukraine’s other major backer, the United States, struggles to approve a $60 billion aid package in the face of opposition from Republicans in Congress.

Despite the concerns over funding and Ukraine’s failure to make a breakthrough on the battlefield, von der Leyen said Russia was still “failing on strategic goals”.

Honour promises 

“Russia has lost roughly half of its military capabilities. Ukraine has driven Russia out of half the territories it had captured. Ukraine has pushed back Russia’s Black Sea Fleet,” she said.

“Russia’s failure is also economic. Sanctions have decoupled its economy from modern technology and innovation. It is now dependent on China.”

EU member states faces further pressure to assure that Ukraine has the weaponry it needs from lawmakers in the European Parliament.

The heads of the five main political groupings called for EU leaders “to live up to their promises, ensure effective and sustainable long-term military support to Ukraine”.

Michael Gahler, a German Christian-Democratic EU lawmaker, said the amount of aid the EU was providing to Ukraine was “scandalous”.

He said there was no point in EU leaders promising to support Kyiv “for as long as it takes” when what Ukraine really needs are actual, long-term supplies of weapons.

He said Germany needs to lift its veto on the provision of long-range Taurus missiles requested by Ukraine.

Belgian MEP Guy Verhofstadt said that while Russia could count on obtaining three million shells per year, through domestic production and imports from North Korea, the EU was “incapable of producing the one million shells it has promised” to send to Kyiv by the end of March.