PoliticsWar Europe can exchange US help to Ukraine by growing its contributions by simply 0.2% of GDP. Wednesday, April 23, 2025

To attain this could solely require EU international locations to extend their contributions by 0.21% of their mixed annual GDP – from €44B to €82B, mentioned Christoph Trebesch, an skilled on the Kiel Institute for the World Economic system. This enhance in monetary participation wouldn’t impose an extreme monetary burden on EU international locations.

“We aren’t speaking about large quantities. Within the context of the general funds, that is extra of a aspect merchandise than a big effort,” Trebesch famous.

He emphasised that EU establishments and the area’s 5 main economies – Germany, the UK, France, Italy, and Spain – may play a key function in implementing such a step. Trebesch drew consideration to the prevailing imbalance in contributions supporting Ukraine: Denmark has allotted practically 2.5% of its GDP, whereas the UK has despatched solely 0.5%, and Germany 0.1%. The US stays the highest provider of contemporary weapons – particularly, HIMARS programs and Patriot missiles – that are difficult to switch. In keeping with the skilled, Europe ought to work extra actively to foster cooperation between its military-industrial advanced and Ukraine’s arms producers.