EU May Double Military Aid to 40 Billion Euros for Ukraine's Defense Industry if Trump Fails to Persuade Putin

The European Union is considering doubling its military aid to Ukraine, potentially increasing it to 40 billion euros, if U.S. President Donald Trump fails to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the ongoing war. This statement was made by EU Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius, who emphasized that the EU could invest in Ukraine's own defense industry, which would be more cost-effective. Kubilius highlighted that weapons produced in Ukraine cost about half as much as those made in the EU or the US, effectively doubling the volume of weapons Ukraine could receive for the same €40 billion, with the real value of support rising to €80 billion. He also mentioned the EU's defense loans as a mechanism to finance arms purchases for Ukraine, advocating for a strategy of 'peace through strength'. In a related development, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has warned that a weak peace deal with Russia could lead to further aggression from Putin. She stressed that any peace agreement must be on Ukraine's terms to prevent history from repeating itself, highlighting the importance of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Von der Leyen also categorically ruled out a return to Russian fossil fuels post-war, calling it a 'mistake of historic dimensions' for Europe.