Italy and Spain have signalled their reluctance to support a European Union proposal aimed at significantly increasing military aid for Ukraine, underscoring divisions within the bloc over continued financial commitments to Kyiv amid ongoing Russian aggression.
The proposal, put forward by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, seeks to pledge up to €40 billion in military assistance for Ukraine this year. This would represent a substantial increase compared to the €20 billion provided by the EU in 2024. The plan would require each member state to contribute in proportion to the size of its economy.
The EU is facing growing uncertainty regarding the future of U.S. support for Ukraine, particularly under President Donald Trump’s administration. Trump has taken steps to re-engage Russia diplomatically and has pushed for negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow. The U.S. president has announced plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday regarding a potential resolution to the conflict.
Following a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday, Kallas stated that her proposal enjoyed “broad political support,” though discussions would need to continue over the specifics. The initiative is strongly backed by northern and eastern European nations, which have been among the most committed supporters of Ukraine.
However, several southern European nations, including Italy and Spain, remain hesitant. Their caution reflects a broader divide within the EU: countries geographically closer to Russia have provided a greater share of aid to Ukraine, while those further away have contributed less in relative terms. According to data from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Estonia, Denmark, and Lithuania have provided over 2% of their GDP in assistance to Kyiv between January 2022 and December 2024. In contrast, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Slovenia, and Cyprus have each contributed less than 0.5% of their GDP.
Southern European Reservations
Italy and Spain, the EU’s third and fourth largest economies, have stressed the need for further discussions before committing to the proposed funding increase. Italy’s Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, indicated that Rome would assess the proposal in light of upcoming geopolitical developments, including Trump’s call with Putin.
“We are waiting for the Trump-Putin telephone call to see if there will be any steps forward in order to reach a ceasefire,” Tajani said. He also highlighted the financial constraints faced by Italy, which is working to boost its own defence spending. “There is a lot of expenditure to be tackled,” he added.
Spain’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, was similarly noncommittal, stating, “We’ll see how the debate goes, but at this point, there’s no decision on it.” He noted that Spain had already pledged €1 billion in military aid to Ukraine this year, insisting that Madrid had not waited for Kallas’s proposal to demonstrate its support for Kyiv.
France has also raised concerns over the proposal, according to EU diplomats, though it has not taken a definitive stance.
Hungary and Slovakia’s Positions
While some countries have hesitated to commit to increased funding, others have made clear they will not participate. Hungary, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Russia-friendly government, has been the most vocal opponent of military aid to Ukraine. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó reaffirmed Budapest’s stance, stating on social media, “We will not be dragged into this, nor will we let Hungarian taxpayers’ money be used to finance arms supplies to Ukraine.”
Slovakia, while not actively blocking the proposal, has also indicated it will not contribute to the fund. According to three EU diplomats, Slovakia stated that it would not obstruct the initiative but would decline to take part in financing additional military aid.
Despite opposition from certain quarters, EU officials believe that Hungary and Slovakia will not be able to block the plan entirely, as contributions would be voluntary rather than obligatory.
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