European Union foreign ministers on On Monday, he jointly approved a 2 billion euro ($2.14 billion) plan to raid their stockpiles purchase Artillery shells are urgently needed for Ukraine diplomats said.
Diplomats said the 27-nation bloc aims to provide $1 million rounds to Ukraine over the next 12 months Kyiv he pleads for more firepower to fight off Russian grind offensive.
Kyiv She complained that her forces had to ration firepower over a year for Russia invasion It turned into a fierce war of drain.
Ukraine told the European Union that it wanted 350 thousand shells per month help Its forces are holding back Moscow attack and allow them to launch new counterattacks later in the year.
Before signing the deal, a foreigner in the EU policy An agreement needed to be reached, Josep Borrell’s boss said, “Otherwise we would be in difficulties in In order to continue supplying weapons to Ukraine.
“we have to help Ukraine more”Faster and now” said French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna.
the first part of The plan includes allocating another 1 billion euros ($1.06 billion). of Co-financing to try to get EU countries to take advantage of already stretched Stores for Ammunition that can be dispatched quickly.
the second Part sees the block use Another 1 billion euros for the order of 155 mm shells for Ukraine as part of A huge joint procurement push aimed at stimulating the European Union defense ramp comp up production.
Buy weapons together on This scale is the main one new step for The European Union, which has seen long-term efforts to work more in harmony on defense Paid forward war Russia.
Countries were arguing over details, like Whether it is the European Union defense Agency or member states will negotiate the orders and if they should buy Only from producers in Europe.
Diplomats said the plan on Send table targets first 1 billion euros worth of Shells to Ukraine by the end of May and sign contracts shared by start of September.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said the ambition is to supply one million rounds over the next yearbut it wasn’t set in to forbid.
“that it possible We may not be able to reach him.”
