The European Union should earmark more cash to support Ukraine in its revised long-term budget and top up the funds for EU military mobility, Lithuanian finance minister Gintare Skaiste said on Saturday.
She said the EU budget review should also add money for military mobility — roads, ports, bridges and airports that allow armed forces to move around quickly — as the 1.7 billion euros originally allocated for the purpose was insufficient.
“We see the need for military mobility infrastructure increasing. It exceeds one billion euros just for Lithuania,” she said.
EU governments aim to reach a deal on the revised 2021-2027 budget by the end of 2023, but talks are difficult because the Commission also asked for 15 additional billion euros to deal with migration issues and further money to cover increased borrowing costs for joint EU debt as interest rates rise.