The more we invest in our security, the more we spend on arms purchases for our army, the more we scare those who want us badly. We spend more not to participate in the war, just to make certain that there are no wars," said Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamish during a visit to Belgium. He besides called for unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine.
The European Defence Initiatives, including the implementation of the ReArm Europe Plan, were discussed at the European Union abroad Affairs Council held present in Brussels. The head of the Polish MON Władysław Kosiniak-Kamish took part in the gathering of the Ministers of Defence of the Commonwealth. We're talking about spending. This is simply a very crucial subject for Poland. Poland is simply a promoter of increased safety spending, the defence of the European Union and NATO. This is the foundation for us. Poland is simply a leader in defence spending. This year we will scope about 4.7% of GDP. That's how we have budget spending planned. Last year, as the Alliance reports showed, we were an absolute evidence holder," the Deputy Prime Minister said. another countries are following us. Europe's awake. There is clearly a change in action in this area. As a result, the fresh programmes that the European Union adopts for safety are the result," concluded Władysław Kosiniak-Kamish.
Tens of thousands trained
Defence ministers besides raised issues related to support for Ukraine. The debate was attended by North Atlantic Alliance Secretary-General Mark Rutte. The gathered besides participated in video talks with Ukrainian defence minister Rust Umorov.
"We as the European Union call for an unconditional ceasefire. This post is besides repeated by the Ukrainian side – provided Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamish. However, the participants of the gathering had no illusions about Russia's attitude, hence the declaration of further support for Ukraine.
As stated on the European Council website, so far, together with the support provided by the associate States, the full EU aid to the Ukrainian army amounted to EUR 50.3 billion. Between 2022 and 2024, the EU allocated EUR 6.1 billion under the European Peace Facility to urgent military and defence needs of Ukraine. It besides funds the provision of military equipment, as well as individual protective equipment, first aid kits, fuel, ammunition and missiles. Moreover, in March 2024 the Union decided to increase the financial ceiling of the Facility by EUR 5 billion.
On 15 November 2022, the Council launched, initially for 2 years, a military aid mission for Ukraine (EUMAM). On 8 November 2024, she decided to extend the mission's mandate for 2 years, i.e. until 15 November 2026. The allocated budget is almost EUR 409 million. The mission is simply a direct consequence to Ukraine's request for support. It is intended to supply individual, collective and specialised training for Ukrainian armed forces and to coordinate and synchronise the activities of associate States carrying out this task. So far, 73,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been trained within EUMAM Ukraine.
Freezing and expansion
The European Union has besides frozen assets of the Central Bank of Russia worth around €210 billion. In May 2024, the Council adapted the legal framework so that gross from these assets could be utilized to support Ukraine. EU government adopted on 25 October 2024 provides that 95% of the extraordinary gross will be allocated to the EU budget and transferred through a debt cooperation mechanics to our east neighbour, the instrument created by the EU, to aid Ukraine repay EU and G-7 loans of around EUR 45 billion. The remaining 5% will be transferred to the European Peace Facility.
Moreover, the policy of the Russian Federation prompted the community's efforts to make its own defence capabilities. EU associate States' full defence spending increased by more than 30% between 2021 and 2021. It is estimated that in 2024 they amounted to EUR 326 billion, out of which EUR 102 billion was allocated to investments. In 2023 the turnover of the European defence manufacture closed at EUR 158,8 billion. This is 28.5% more than in 2021. The manufacture besides saw a crucial increase in employment, with a full of 581,000 jobs.
