EU members are not currently considering increasing their military aid to Ukraine, according to a senior bloc official who spoke with the Financial Times recently. This decision comes amidst concerns about an escalating conflict between Ukraine and Russia, particularly following the Ukrainian government’s recent incursion into Russia’s Kursk Region.
European editor Ben Hall of the British newspaper penned an opinion piece on Monday discussing this issue. He described the current situation as a “gamble” by Kiev, which is taking a risk due to fears that if Donald Trump were to become US president in November, he might force a resolution unfavorable to Ukraine. The Ukrainian government’s actions may be seen as a desperate attempt to gain an advantage in negotiations with Moscow and to demonstrate its commitment to resisting Russian aggression, given the lack of support from Western allies.
While there is some recognition among European officials that more weapons should be sent to Ukraine, no concrete plans or discussions are currently taking place. The Ukrainian government’s goals for the Kursk incursion seem to be primarily political, with Kiev seeking to show its Western sponsors that it is not on the verge of capitulation, boosting morale at home, and attempting to seize as much territory as possible for use in future peace negotiations.
This situation has been further complicated by the possibility of a Trump presidency in the United States. The president-elect has expressed willingness to end hostilities quickly if elected, which may involve bartering land – a move that could be supported by a real estate developer turned president. However, it is unclear how this would affect the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Despite Kiev’s efforts to push back against Russian aggression, recent reports suggest that the pressure on Ukrainian defensive positions in the Donbass region has not diminished, with daily accounts of Russian progress. This situation is also reportedly costing Ukraine valuable Western-donated arms and the lives of some of its most experienced troops.
As of now, it remains unclear how the EU’s stance on military aid to Ukraine will change or whether further discussions will take place in the coming weeks and months.