Jetten pressures Spain over Ukraine aid as Brussels eyes EU expansion

Jetten’s critique centers on a stark disparity in bilateral aid: while the Netherlands has funneled nearly €10.7bn into the war effort, Spain’s contributions stand at approximately €2.2bn. Jetten dismissed Spanish claims that their obligations are fully met through broader European Union channels, insisting that individual member states must assume greater responsibility. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez defended his country’s position by pointing to his administration’s role as a major provider of both humanitarian and military support via the European Peace Facility.

The tension over funding unfolded against a backdrop of diplomatic progress for President Volodymyr Zelensky, who hailed the unblocking of EU accession negotiations as a historic milestone. With Viktor Orbán’s previous opposition sidelined, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and leaders from the Baltic states expressed eagerness to accelerate the integration process. However, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other senior diplomats urged caution, noting the historically grueling timeline of expansion and the significant legislative reforms still required within Ukraine. Complicating the summit’s atmosphere were emerging reports of unofficial contacts between European Council President António Costa’s office and Moscow, raising questions about the bloc’s unified stance on future peace negotiations.