EU Approves Another 500 Million Euros In Weapons Aid For Ukraine

Ukrainian soldiers fire a shell from a M777 Howitzer at a front line in the Kharkiv region on July 21.

The European Union has approved another 500 million euros ($512 million) for the supply of weapons and equipment to Ukraine, the European Council said on July 22.

European Council President Charles Michel earlier this week announced the EU's intention to provide the funds.

Nearly all the money -- 490 million euros -- is to be spent on weapons and ammunition. The remaining 10 million euros will go toward protective equipment, fuel, and medical supplies.

The council approved its first package of 500 million euros at the end of February and followed that with three more in March, April, and May. The tranche approved on July 22 is the fifth, bringing the total amount to 2.5 billion euros.

The funds come from the European Peace Facility, a new EU financing instrument that can be used to strengthen armed forces in partner countries.

According to German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht, Germany is financing about one-quarter of the expenditure.

Based on reporting by dpa