The EU will offer Ukraine a radically reduced arms package

French soldiers fire weapons during military exercises in Estonia Photo: Sergey Grits/AP

The European Union is going to offer Ukraine the only tranche of weapons 5 billion euros as part of a vague plan to arm the war-torn country.

The bloc had previously planned to commit to a 20 billion euros scheme over four years to secure arms supplies from Europe. to Kyiv.

His new plan does not include long-term military support, and any further aid packages depend on renewed approval from member states.

However, approval may be difficult to come by amid growing national controversy over donations to Kyiv. future developments in the war are also likely to influence calculations made in EU capitals.

Vladimir Zelensky, President of Ukraine, with the President European Commission by Ursula von der Leyen. Photo: REUTERS

Officials say the revised plan is expected to be voted on when EU leaders meet in Brussels on Thursday for an emergency summit to support Ukraine.

Most of the bloc's 27 member countries reportedly supported the plan. new scheme after opposition to the previous multi-year plan from Germany and Hungary.

Ahead of the summit, a senior EU official said: “There is no agreement yet, but we have a majority pushing for 5 billion euros a year.”

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Previously, this scheme, known as the European Peace Fund (EPF), allowed national capitals to receive compensation from the EU budget for arms supplies to Kyiv.

Berlin, the EU's largest economy, complained that the system did not work. t took into account 17 billion euros in bilateral military support since Russia launched its invasion almost two years ago.

Others have raised problems with smaller former Soviet countries, which they say have used the bank for significant restoration of its armed forces. modern equipment due to the larger economies of the bloc.

The fund, if EU leaders agree on Thursday, is likely to focus on arms produced within the bloc, with existing stockpiles said to be dwindling.

“Now that we see the stockpile situation in Europe, we need the EPF to evolve towards manufacturing,” the official said.

The move will make it more difficult for countries to refund money for weapons not made by EU-based manufacturers. The source added that bilateral German donations will also be taken into account.

The new EU plan does not provide for long-term military support for Ukraine. Photo: Libkos

He will also be a factor in the supply of non-lethal aid to overcome resistance from Hungary, which has refused to send weapons to Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict.

The breakthrough in arms supplies will likely be accompanied by a separate promise 50 billion euros will be allocated to Ukraine in financial support over the next four years.

Viktor Orban, the Hungarian prime minister, has offered to abandon his opposition to the scheme, which he blocked at an EU summit last year. if he is offered an “emergency brake” to suspend future aid.

“Hungary is ready to participate in the 27th decision if you guarantee that every year we will decide whether or not to send this money,” — he told the French magazine Le Point.

“And this annual decision must have the same legal basis as today: it must be unanimous.”