Borrell aims to bypass Hungary’s obstruction of military aid to Ukraine by utilizing seized Russian assets

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, expressed his confidence on Monday that the EU can proceed with the decision to provide military aid to Ukraine using funds from frozen Russian assets. Despite Hungary’s rejection of this decision, Borrell stated that most of the first 1.5 billion euros promised for July will go towards the European Peace Mechanism to purchase ammunition and anti-aircraft defenses for Kyiv.

The foreign ministers of the 27 EU member states gathered in Luxembourg on Monday to discuss transferring funds from Russian assets frozen in Europe. Hungary has opposed participating in military support for Ukraine, but Borrell stated that legal mechanisms could allow progress to be made without Hungary’s involvement. The ministers are expected to approve allocating around 90 percent of these funds to the mechanism through which the EU has been sending war material to Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion in 2022.

Borrell emphasized that the decision to use funds from frozen assets for military support has already been made by the member states, and it is now about implementing that decision. He stressed the urgency of moving forward with the process to avoid any delays caused by Hungary’s objections. The EU aims to send the funds to Ukraine through the European Peace Mechanism and hopes to do so promptly.

The EU currently has 2.5 billion euros from frozen Russian assets, with a significant portion set to be channeled to Ukraine. Borrell highlighted the need for swift approval to ensure that the funds can be used for military support to Ukraine as soon as possible. The bloc is committed to providing assistance to Ukraine in the face of the ongoing conflict.