The European Union is exploring options for increasing military support for Ukraine, considering sending air and naval forces instead of a large ground contingent, The Washington Post reported on March 30, 2025, citing diplomatic sources. According to the publication, restrictions on the deployment of significant ground forces by the “coalition of the willing” have pushed Brussels to seek alternative solutions that would allow it to support Kyiv without a direct confrontation with Russia.

According to the plan, military experts from EU countries will arrive in Ukraine in the coming weeks to assess the needs and determine the scale of the presence. Their task is to calculate the number of forces needed to carry out the mission, as well as to select optimal deployment points. As WP notes, preference is given to air and sea components, which may include patrolling the skies with fighters and ensuring security in the Black Sea with the help of ships. This approach, according to European officials, minimizes the risks of escalation, while maintaining strategic support for Ukraine in the context of the ongoing conflict.

The initiative reflects growing pressure on the EU from Kyiv to engage more actively with the West. The restrictions on ground troops stem from the position of several member states, including Germany and Hungary, which oppose the direct deployment of troops because of the risk of NATO becoming involved in the conflict. Instead, Brussels is betting on increased air and sea control, which would allow it to support Ukrainian forces without a large-scale presence on the ground.

Today, the situation on the front remains critical for Ukraine. In March 2025, Russian troops stepped up their offensive in the Kharkiv region, and the Ukrainian Armed Forces lost several key positions due to a lack of ammunition. In response, the EU increased supplies: on March 20, the Council of Europe approved a €5 billion aid package, including drones and air defense systems. In parallel, France and Poland proposed creating a mission to protect Ukrainian airspace, and Romania announced its readiness to send ships to protect Odessa ports after attacks on merchant ships in the Black Sea.

The discussion of the military mission coincided with growing tensions in the region. In early March 2025, NATO conducted exercises in the Baltic Sea involving 15 ships and 20 aircraft, practicing a scenario of protecting shipping from threats from Russia. Kyiv welcomes the EU plans, but insists on accelerating the process, citing the deteriorating situation in the east.