3 ways Ukraine and the EU can compensate for frozen US military support
11/06/2025
A
With U.S. military aid now frozen and relations with Washington at their lowest possible point, Ukraine is facing a defining moment in defending itself against Russia’s war. While U.S. support has been so far crucial, Europe and Ukraine find themselves facing a new security reality.
Here are three (out of many) potential ways Europe could act decisively in order to sustain Kyiv’s defense effort and shape both a ceasefire deal with Ukraine’s interests in mind, and long-term defense strategy that contains and deters Russian expansionism.
– The European Peace Facility: A Financial Lifeline
The European Peace Facility (EPF) has emerged as a key alternative to U.S. aid, evolving from an EU fund into a direct source of military financing for Ukraine. With a €12 billion budget, over €6.1 billion has already been allocated to Kyiv. Unlike before, EPF funds are now used to procure new weapons from European manufacturers, signaling a move toward European military autonomy and reducing Ukraine’s dependence on U.S. stockpiles.
– European-Ukrainian Arms Production: Building Defense Locally
As battlefield needs grow, Ukraine is deepening military-industrial ties with European manufacturers:
• Germany’s Rheinmetall partnered with Ukraine’s defense industry to produce artillery shells, armoured vehicles, and air defense systems directly inside Ukraine.
• Lithuania and Ukraine signed a deal to co-produce long-range missile systems and other strategic weapons.
• Five additional partnerships have been formed with arms manufacturers from Germany, Lithuania, and other EU states.
This shift allows Ukraine to sustain its defense capabilities without depending solely on Western donations by bringing production onto Ukrainian soil.
– Ukraine’s Drone Revolution: A Game-Changer
Ukraine is rapidly scaling drone production, aiming to become a global leader. In 2024 alone, over 1.5 million drones were produced, including long-range kamikaze drones and AI-powered reconnaissance systems. Some cost as little as $300, enabling swarm tactics that can overwhelm Russian defenses and offset shortages in artillery shells and missiles.
Here are three (out of many) potential ways Europe could act decisively in order to sustain Kyiv’s defense effort and shape both a ceasefire deal with Ukraine’s interests in mind, and long-term defense strategy that contains and deters Russian expansionism.
– The European Peace Facility: A Financial Lifeline
The European Peace Facility (EPF) has emerged as a key alternative to U.S. aid, evolving from an EU fund into a direct source of military financing for Ukraine. With a €12 billion budget, over €6.1 billion has already been allocated to Kyiv. Unlike before, EPF funds are now used to procure new weapons from European manufacturers, signaling a move toward European military autonomy and reducing Ukraine’s dependence on U.S. stockpiles.
– European-Ukrainian Arms Production: Building Defense Locally
As battlefield needs grow, Ukraine is deepening military-industrial ties with European manufacturers:
• Germany’s Rheinmetall partnered with Ukraine’s defense industry to produce artillery shells, armoured vehicles, and air defense systems directly inside Ukraine.
• Lithuania and Ukraine signed a deal to co-produce long-range missile systems and other strategic weapons.
• Five additional partnerships have been formed with arms manufacturers from Germany, Lithuania, and other EU states.
This shift allows Ukraine to sustain its defense capabilities without depending solely on Western donations by bringing production onto Ukrainian soil.
– Ukraine’s Drone Revolution: A Game-Changer
Ukraine is rapidly scaling drone production, aiming to become a global leader. In 2024 alone, over 1.5 million drones were produced, including long-range kamikaze drones and AI-powered reconnaissance systems. Some cost as little as $300, enabling swarm tactics that can overwhelm Russian defenses and offset shortages in artillery shells and missiles.
