No, really
European countries to borrow billions from EU to rearm Ukraine
Ukraine’s top allies in Europe are set to ask for tens of billions of euros in European Union loans to jointly buy weapons for the war-battered country, as well as to boost their own defenses.
I love that “as well”. Considering European nations pissed away their arms and money to arm Ukraine and the conflict is still going on. I still wonder if it is a conspiracy theory that the whole think is a ploy to bleed European nation.
Ahead of Tuesday’s deadline to apply for the new €150 billion Security Assistance Facility for Europe loans-for-weapons scheme, several EU countries told POLITICO they are considering using that money to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The loan scheme was proposed by the Commission in March as part of its broader ReArm Europe program and aims to boost Europe’s defense industry and reduce the bloc’s decades-old military dependence on the United States.
Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Spain, Finland, Hungary, and Lithuania have formally expressed an interest in requesting the loans, the EU’s defense spokesperson Thomas Regnier told reporters on Tuesday.
Others including Czech Republic, Latvia, Bulgaria and Greece indicated they will do so before the deadline on Tuesday at midnight.
By jointly buying weapons through the scheme, countries can secure a lower price than they would obtain by going it alone and then deliver the armaments to Ukraine.
So, where is the European Union getting this money? Are they not the central government of European nations? Does their operating money not come from European countries to start with? Is the EU borrowing the money from banks in Europe? It sounds more like a scam to enrich some people
Countries are also exploring directly buying weapons from Ukrainian companies, which is encouraged under SAFE. This would allow Kyiv to “increase the scale of defense production and technological integration with the EU,” a Ukrainian diplomat told POLITICO.
Wait. Why are these Ukrainian companies not doing their duty and sending all their arms to Ukraine?
Countries with high debts and deficits, like Austria and Italy, are more reluctant to take the loans over worries of adding to their existing debt, as that might delay their exit from the EU’s punitive procedure for over-spenders, officials told POLITICO.
France, a long-time supporter of more EU defense spending, is likely to take up the loans despite its domestic budget constraints. Belgium, which is also saddled with a high debt, will demand from €7 billion to €11 billion under the scheme, according to an official with knowledge of the matter.
Taking out loans sounds like a bad idea. How about the EU simply fund the procurement of the weapons in the name of all European nations?
Meanwhile
Long-time Russia and Putin supporter, Mr teach typed:
It’s possible Putin, Zelenskyy, Biden and trump colluded to rip off the Europeans (and Americans!) to funnel money to Zelenskyy plutocratic oligarchs! Once they have lined their pockets, Putin will back off, claim the occupied territories, and they’ll all count their money! America First and Only!! MAGA!!
Senator Joe McCarthy, oops, sorry, Mr Elwood P Dowd wrote:
Like our 44th President and his minions, Mr Dowd attempts to smear his political opponent with claims that he supports Russia and Vladimir Vladimirovich. “Are you now, or have you ever been, a member of the Communist Party?”
Our MADcap Missourian apparently believes that there are two, and only two options:
Mr trump surely HAS been a Putin and Russia supporter, especially regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Until recently. Finally, it appears that Mr Putin was using trump for the last decade and Mr trump finally realizes what we all saw.
Our KRAZY Kentookian must be hurt that trump has suddenly, without warning, become a supporter of Ukraine against the Russian onslaught. Now, rather than welcoming Putin to have his way wih Ukraine, trump has shown some spine. Dana is torn between his admiration of trump and his admiration of Putin. Mental conflict!!
LOL! our silly socialist wrote:
LOL! The distinguished Mr Dowd conflates not liking the idea of increasing the chances of all-out war with a nuclear-armed enemy with “admiration of Putin.”
As it happens, I disagree with President Trump on his reversal on aid to Ukraine. Ukraine cannot win without US/NATO troops on the ground, directly fighting the Russian Army, and aid to Ukraine simply puts off the inevitable loss, meaning more death and destruction without changing the outcome.
Trump pledged to end the war on Day One
Trump is increasing delivery of weapons to Zelenskyy
Mr Teach was a super fan boi of the Afghan War, Afghan pres Karzai fled that country with 500 million and now lives in Abu Dhabi. Our costs for that failed clusterfuck of a war
The Afghan war cost us 2500 dead 25000 wounded and $2,300,000,000,000 Ukraine costs 175,000,000,000
Ukraine costs are 10%
Mr teach has the bad habit of using twitter comments from others as “evidence”.
While Rimjob provides no evidence at all.
If they want to arm Ukraine, they can go right ahead; it’s their money. I just don’t think we should spend our money to arm Ukraine.
The EU is still using the money we gave them last year to arm Ukraine. It is the only way for them to get their hands on it and skim a share for themselves. The Biden/Harris/Rice administration was very generous.