EU Diplomats Suggest Doubling Military Aid for Ukraine This Year 

This handout photograph taken and released by the press service of the 65th Mechanized Brigade of Ukrainian Armed Forces shows a Ukrainian serviceman examining an unmanned ground vehicle at a military training ground in the Zaporizhzhia region on March 13, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (65th Mechanized Brigade of Ukrainian Armed Forces / AFP)
This handout photograph taken and released by the press service of the 65th Mechanized Brigade of Ukrainian Armed Forces shows a Ukrainian serviceman examining an unmanned ground vehicle at a military training ground in the Zaporizhzhia region on March 13, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (65th Mechanized Brigade of Ukrainian Armed Forces / AFP)
TT
20

EU Diplomats Suggest Doubling Military Aid for Ukraine This Year 

This handout photograph taken and released by the press service of the 65th Mechanized Brigade of Ukrainian Armed Forces shows a Ukrainian serviceman examining an unmanned ground vehicle at a military training ground in the Zaporizhzhia region on March 13, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (65th Mechanized Brigade of Ukrainian Armed Forces / AFP)
This handout photograph taken and released by the press service of the 65th Mechanized Brigade of Ukrainian Armed Forces shows a Ukrainian serviceman examining an unmanned ground vehicle at a military training ground in the Zaporizhzhia region on March 13, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (65th Mechanized Brigade of Ukrainian Armed Forces / AFP)

The European Union should be prepared to go as far as doubling its military aid to Ukraine this year to 40 billion euros ($43 billion) if necessary, according to a discussion paper by the bloc's diplomatic service seen by Reuters on Friday.

The paper, an updated version of an earlier proposal which set out Ukraine's requirements but did not name a target figure, also says each EU country participating in the effort should contribute "in line with its economic weight".

With the future of US backing for Ukraine uncertain, EU countries have expressed a broad willingness to continue supporting the country in the war triggered by Russia's 2022 invasion, but diplomats say several states oppose fixed targets.

The paper says the EU gave about 20 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine last year and encourages EU countries to do at least the same again in 2025, with the total "potentially reaching" 40 billion euros, depending on Kyiv's needs.

EU leaders are likely to discuss the proposal by the European External Action Service (EEAS), headed by former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, at a summit next week.

The EEAS "non-paper" - diplomatic jargon for a discussion document rather than a formal proposal - suggests leaders agree as a first step next week to provide 2 million rounds of large-caliber artillery ammunition to Kyiv this year.

It suggests that some of the costs of the plan could come from a scheme that takes windfall profits from Russian assets inside the EU and uses them for the benefit of Ukraine.

The contents of the new proposal were previously reported by Politico late on Thursday evening.

Hungary, whose prime minister Viktor Orban has criticized EU sanctions on Russia and military assistance to Ukraine, said on Friday his country should contribute funds to a common EU defense policy, but not agree to joint EU borrowing for defense.



Major Search Continues after Deadly Migrant Boat Sinking Off Cyprus Coast

Handout obtained from Cypriot government’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre shows migrant boat in Mediterranen waters east of Cape Greco in southeastern Cyprus ahead of a rescue operation. (File/AFP)
Handout obtained from Cypriot government’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre shows migrant boat in Mediterranen waters east of Cape Greco in southeastern Cyprus ahead of a rescue operation. (File/AFP)
TT
20

Major Search Continues after Deadly Migrant Boat Sinking Off Cyprus Coast

Handout obtained from Cypriot government’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre shows migrant boat in Mediterranen waters east of Cape Greco in southeastern Cyprus ahead of a rescue operation. (File/AFP)
Handout obtained from Cypriot government’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre shows migrant boat in Mediterranen waters east of Cape Greco in southeastern Cyprus ahead of a rescue operation. (File/AFP)

A major rescue operation continued Tuesday off the southern coast of Cyprus after a migrant boat sank in international waters, with no additional survivors or bodies found since the initial recovery, official said.

Authorities Monday said seven bodies had been recovered and two people rescued some 45 kilometers (28 miles) south of Cyprus. Officials said the boat was believed to be carrying at least 20 Syrians, The Associated Press reported.

The island republic's Joint Rescue Coordination Center confirmed an ongoing operation involving military helicopters, rescue vessels and drones, assisted by a helicopter from a British base on Cyprus.

“As time passes and no other people are found, hope naturally and dramatically diminishes,” Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas told a press briefing late Monday.

The rescue effort is taking place amid rising irregular border crossings in the eastern Mediterranean, according to the European Union border protection agency Frontex, despite a broader decline across the bloc.

Cypriot officials said they continue to monitor increased maritime movement from Lebanon and Syria amid ongoing regional instability.

Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis said the first survivor had been spotted during a routine patrol. After that, he said, “the response was immediate, which is why we managed to save the second person very quickly.”