【Wen/Observer Network Qi Qian】

Due to the inability to use frozen Russian assets, last December, the 24 EU countries had to borrow money to provide Ukraine with a 90 billion euro loan assistance. However, the EU stated that this money would mainly be used by Ukraine to purchase weapons produced by EU member states.

After suffering significant losses, the EU has begun to strictly prevent other countries from taking advantage, such as the UK, which has already left the EU.

The UK's Daily Telegraph reported on February 2nd that the EU plans to charge the UK an "entry fee" as a condition for British companies selling weapons to Ukraine. It is reported that France has strongly demanded that the UK contribute to the EU's 90 billion euro aid to Ukraine.

Regarding the above report, a spokesperson for the UK government responded, saying: "We do not comment on the EU's internal procedures. The UK has so far committed 21.8 billion pounds in military and financial aid to Ukraine. Our support for Ukraine remains unwavering. We will continue to cooperate with G7 and EU partners to ensure Ukraine can defend itself."

French President Macron and UK Prime Minister Starmer Social Media

The report said that the EU's 90 billion euro loan will be used to meet Ukraine's wartime needs for the next two years.

The European Commission estimates that the total interest of this loan could reach up to 20 billion euros. Two-thirds of the loan will be used by Ukraine to purchase defense industry products from its own country or weapons from EU member states' arms companies. Only when there are no alternatives within the EU, or the delivery time is "significantly shorter," Kyiv may use the funds to purchase outside the EU.

Within the EU, member states have been arguing over whether third countries like the UK should participate in the plan.

A faction led by Nordic countries, the Baltic states, the Netherlands, Germany, and Poland hoped that the UK could participate equally as EU member states. However, France opposed it, insisting that the funds should be prioritized to boost the EU's domestic defense industry.

According to a leaked compromise text seen by the Daily Telegraph, third countries (such as the UK) who "provide a fair and proportionate financial contribution" for the costs generated by the loan, such as helping to bear the loan interest, could receive equal treatment.

A EU diplomat revealed that France is vigorously pushing for the UK to make "as high as possible" interest contributions for its arms sales to Ukraine.

Another source added that other countries hope the UK's fees should not be "too punitive".

According to the report, the compromise text also allows for special cases, where Ukraine can purchase the UK-made "Storm Shadow" cruise missiles if France and Italy cannot provide them at the "required scale" or the delivery time "does not meet the urgent situation and immediate operational needs of Ukraine." This means that countries selling weapons under this "emergency clause" do not need to help bear the EU loan interest.

The report said that ultimately, if the Starmer government decides to join, the EU Commission will need to negotiate with the UK on the "entry fee." If UK Prime Minister Starmer agrees to pay, this could open a door for UK defense companies to about 60 billion euros in military contracts.

The report said this is not the first time France has prevented the UK from "taking advantage of the EU."

For a long time, the French government has continuously pushed to use Ukrainian loans to strengthen the EU defense industry, reducing dependence on non-EU countries like the US. An anonymous defense source revealed that France's firm stance once almost blocked Ukraine's plan to buy the Saab Gripen fighter jets because some parts of the aircraft were manufactured by US and UK companies.

The UK had previously refused to participate in another EU initiative aimed at re-equipping the military, the "European Security Initiative" program, because France pressured UK companies to pay 6.5 billion euros to participate. In May last year, the EU Council formally approved the establishment of the "European Security Initiative" tool, providing 150 billion euros in financial support for member states to purchase security and defense weapons and equipment.

On the local day of February 2, UK ministers resumed discussions in London on the "European Security Initiative" program.

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Original: toutiao.com/article/7602511561948742198/

Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.