Zelenskyy urges Coalition of the Willing to help finance Ukrainian armed forces
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at a meeting of the European Council, has called on member states of the Coalition of the Willing to consider mechanisms that would ensure reliable funding for Ukraine's defence forces.
Source: Zelenskyy's address, as reported by European Pravda
Details: Zelenskyy said that through its fight against Russian aggression, Ukraine is making a real contribution to Europe's security and has gained unique experience in modern warfare but stressed that "there is no army without funding".
Quote: "Many people ask what practical decisions the Coalition of the Willing can already deliver. Let us focus on financial stability as part of our security … We need to provide long-term security guarantees for Europe, and that means long-term guarantees – financial guarantees also – for security, for stability and for the Ukrainian army."
Details: Zelenskyy noted that resources are needed for the routine maintenance of the military, equipment procurement, salary payments and the financing of military contracts.
Quote: "The Coalition of the Willing, and the European Union as the biggest part of it – of the Coalition – and your countries as members of it, can develop the special financial instruments needed to make this possible. Let's think about it. Let's do it. Let's prepare."
Background:
- The Coalition of the Willing brings together countries prepared to make various contributions to the long-term support of Ukraine in order to secure a lasting peace once the Russia-Ukraine war ends. The UK and France play a leading role in the initiative. Paris will host the next meeting of the Coalition of the Willing on 13-14 July.
- Zelenskyy also urged the European Council to accelerate the use of funds released from the European Peace Facility and approve the opening of the remaining five clusters in Ukraine's EU accession talks in June.
- However, it later emerged that Ukraine's hopes, and those of its supporters within the EU, for a swift opening of the remaining clusters were not reflected in the summit's conclusions.
- Earlier, Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar earlier boasted that he had "struck out" swift accession from the EU summit decision. However, it later became clear that opposition to this scenario extended well beyond Hungary alone.
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