EU Considers Joint Fund for Ukraine Aid Amidst Differing Member State Contributions and Political Hesitations

Brussels, [Current Date] – The European Union is contemplating a joint fund to bolster military aid to Ukraine, an initiative spearheaded by High Representative Kallas. The proposal garnered "broad political support" following a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. Northern and eastern European nations, including Estonia, Denmark, and Lithuania, which have already contributed over 2% of their GDP in aid to Kyiv, strongly support the fund. Conversely, some southern European countries like Italy, Slovenia, Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Cyprus, which have provided less than 0.5% of their GDP, have expressed reservations. Italy and Spain await developments from a potential Trump-Putin call before committing. Slovakia indicated it would not contribute but would not block the plan, while Hungary opposes using its taxpayers' money for arms supplies to Ukraine. Contributions to the fund would be voluntary.