The European Union may propose new conditions for funding Ukraine under the European Competitiveness Fund, Politico writes. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
"France and several other states want to limit the participation of external players, while most European capitals support giving broader opportunities to companies from countries outside the European Union," the article says.
According to the publication, the disagreement arose during negotiations on a fund worth 409 billion euros.
The issue hinges on whether countries outside the EU can participate in the defense fund and use its funds, and what conditions they must meet to do so.
As Politico notes, it was previously assumed that Kyiv and Oslo would be able to participate in the fund automatically.
However, Ireland, which currently holds the EU Council presidency, is now proposing to oblige all countries outside the bloc to sign an association agreement and contribute.
This contribution could be financial or, in Ukraine's case, in the form of defense technologies.