Italy and Spain clearly stated on Monday that they are not prepared to support a proposal from the EU to commit up to 40 billion euros (approximately 43.67 billion USD) in military aid to Ukraine this year, with each country providing corresponding aid based on its economic scale. This proposal from EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas could mean that EU military aid to Ukraine would double, as the EU and its member states provided about 20 billion euros in aid in 2024. Ministers from Italy and Spain, the EU's third and fourth largest economies, stated before the meeting that it is still too early to take a definitive stance on this proposal. Diplomats noted that France also raised questions about the plan.