Is aid to Ukraine at risk? Why France and Italy are delaying the EU's decision, according to media reports.

The approval of a multi-billion euro military aid package for Ukraine at the European Union level is facing challenges. One of the reasons for this is the skeptical stance of France and Italy.

This is reported by the German publication Spiegel, citing diplomatic sources. According to Spiegel, Paris and Rome have expressed concerns regarding the allocation of significant funding to Kyiv, arguing this is due to the high level of national debt.

Moreover, the presidents of France and Italy – Emmanuel Macron and Giorgia Meloni – are keen to strengthen their positions as the primary negotiators for the EU with the United States.

This contradicts the initiative of the EU's top diplomat, Kaia Kallas, who has proposed a new aid package for Ukraine.

It is also mentioned that Hungary and Slovakia oppose the approval of the package; however, their opposition is not deemed decisive. It is likely that the funding will be accepted within a coalition of interested EU countries rather than at the level of the entire Union.

Earlier, EU Commissioner for Defense Andrius Kubilius confirmed that the military aid package for Ukraine is being prepared for announcement on the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion. Specific funding amounts will be determined after the planned meeting of EU foreign ministers on February 24.

Previously, Telegraph reported on what Ukraine will do if the US halts aid: Zelensky shared his thoughts.