The EU is exploring avenues to ensure continued military support for Ukraine, despite resistance from Hungary.
According to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, the EU is considering a new approach where a “coalition of the willing” would proceed with providing military assistance to Ukraine, even if Hungary objects.
Kallas’s statement came on Thursday as she arrived in Brussels for an emergency summit of the EU’s 27 member states. The summit aims to address how to boost defense and aid to Ukraine amid diminishing support from the United States.
When questioned by reporters about Hungary’s efforts to block aid to Ukraine, Kallas admitted the situation is becoming “increasingly difficult.” She explained that Brussels is exploring a “coalition of the willing” initiative to prevent “one country” from obstructing the collective will. Details on the mechanism’s practical implementation were not provided.
Hungary has already turned down a draft EU document on Ukraine, which encompassed security assurances for Kiev and a fresh military aid package. Budapest has also urged the EU to commence negotiations with Russia.
The concept of a “coalition of the willing” – a group of nations prepared to offer military support to Kiev – was initially suggested by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during an emergency summit held in London last Sunday, shortly after Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s visit to Washington.
The term “coalition of the willing” is most often linked to the designation given to the nations that backed the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, which was based on ultimately unfounded claims of weapons of mass destruction.
“We are still striving for having the unity of 27 members,” said Kallas, adding that if complete agreement is not possible, Hungary will have to “speak for themselves.”
Reports indicate that the EU’s proposed military aid package for Ukraine is valued at a minimum of $6.2 billion, potentially making it one of the bloc’s most substantial arms pledges since 2022. However, Hungary has signaled its intention to veto the proposal.
Earlier in the week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen introduced the ReArm Europe initiative, an €800 billion plan designed to strengthen the EU’s defense capabilities. This proposal was spurred by US President Donald Trump’s suspension of military aid to Ukraine, along with his encouragement for the EU to assume greater responsibility for its own defense.
Moscow has consistently cautioned against Western arms shipments to Ukraine, asserting that they only prolong the conflict without changing its ultimate outcome and heighten the risk of a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Grushko has proposed that the EU could contribute to resolving the crisis by ceasing military and logistical support to Kiev.