Expanded Military Support for Ukraine: Europe Increases Aid, Distance from U.S. Grows
U.S. Remains Largest Military Donor to Ukraine, but Europe Closing the Gap
In the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the United States has been the largest provider of military aid since the beginning of the war in February 2022, with approximately €115 billion in weapons and defense-related financial support. However, Europe, including EU institutions and member states, is rapidly catching up. As of the end of June 2025, Europe has allocated at least €35.1 billion specifically for Ukraine’s military armaments, outstripping the United States for the first time since June 2022.
The United States' aid temporarily paused in early March 2025 but resumed soon after. Germany, with €16.5 billion in military aid alone, ranks second, followed by the United Kingdom, which has committed £13 billion (approximately €15 billion) in military support and is focused on delivering drones, air defense missiles, and artillery. Other significant contributors include the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium, each earmarking between €500 million and €600 million in military aid to Ukraine in May and June 2025.
A significant proportion of the weapons provided to Ukraine by Europe are procured directly through the defence industry, not from existing stockpiles. This trend is a clear indication of the increasing role of defence manufacturing in military assistance. The Kiel Institute for the World Economy reported that at least €4.6 billion of the European military aid, or 44 percent of the overall amount in May and June, is set to be channelled through procurement contracts with Europe-based defence firms, notably based in Ukraine.
In contrast, the United States has approved major exports of arms to Ukraine, but they are not considered military aid under the Kiel Institute's definition because they have to be paid for by Ukraine itself. This difference in accounting likely contributes to the seemingly discrepant figures regarding the total amount of military aid provided by Europe and the United States.
As the conflict in Ukraine continues, the United States remains the clear largest overall military donor by most consolidated data. However, Europe's collective efforts are closing the gap, and the balance of military support may shift further in the coming months.
Sources:
- Reuters
- BBC News
- Deutsche Welle
- European Commission
- As the European Union and its member states increase their military aid to Ukraine, the policy-and-legislation surrounding the defense industry plays a crucial role in the procurement of weapons, with at least €4.6 billion channeled through defense firms' procurement contracts.
- In the realm of general-news, politics, and war-and-conflicts, the United States remains the largest overall military donor to Ukraine, but Europe's collective efforts are narrowing the gap, potentially shifting the balance in military support in the future due to the increasing role of Europe-based defense manufacturing in military assistance.
