The bloc is mulling more military aid to Kiev at a time when the US and Russia are discussing ways to end hostilities

The EU is preparing a military aid package of at least €6 billion ($6.2 billion) for Ukraine as Russia and the US engage in talks aimed at resolving the conflict, Politico has reported, citing three EU diplomats.

Russian and American officials met in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to explore ways to restore bilateral relations and discuss future negotiations on settling the Ukraine crisis. The talks have sparked outrage within the EU, with member states criticizing Washington for failing to consult them before reestablishing dialogue with Moscow and for excluding them from the negotiations.

Earlier this week, French President Emmanuel Macron convened an emergency summit in Paris, purportedly to counterbalance Russia-US peace efforts. The EU is reportedly ready to provide security guarantees for Ukraine and opposes Kiev declaring a ceasefire with Russia before a comprehensive peace agreement is reached.

The reported package, expected to include 1.5 million artillery shells and air defense systems, would be one of the EU's largest military aid injections since the start of Russia's military operation in 2022. It could be announced ahead of a visit by EU commissioners to Kiev on February 24, Politico reported.

The €6 billion figure could be only a start with the sum potentially rising to €10 billion ($10.4 billion) or more as countries assess their stockpiles, two diplomats told the outlet.

EU members will have the option to contribute either military equipment or financial aid, with monetary contributions proportionate to their gross national income, according to one diplomat.

It is unclear whether the EU as a whole will approve the package or whether the aid would be structured as a coalition of willing countries, Politico reported. One diplomat noted that unanimous approval is unlikely due to opposition from Hungary, which has been a vocal critic of EU military aid to Kiev.

The EU could use the package as leverage for its inclusion in the negotiations after it was sidelined from the US-initiated Ukraine peace efforts. The first round of bilateral US-Russia talks concluded in the Saudi capital Riyadh and neither Ukraine nor the EU were invited to attend.

Many EU officials have criticized Washington's unilateral approach to peace efforts, particularly after US President Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, signaled that the bloc would not be at the table when the US and Russia discuss peace.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has also ruled out the EU's participation in the negotiations, suggesting that the bloc would once again use a ceasefire in Ukraine to rearm Kiev.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Grushko argued that Brussels could help to resolve the conflict by stopping military and other support for Kiev.

(RT.com)