EU approves $1 billion in ammunition for Ukraine

The EU has agreed on a financing mechanism that would entail Ukraine receiving €1 billion worth of ammunition as part of the bloc’s assistance plan. The package is expected to include mostly 155-mm-calibre artillery rounds and missiles, and comes in addition to another €1 billion worth of ammo the bloc’s members agreed to send to Kiev out of its own stocks in April. The ammunition will be purchased and delivered by EU members, and to be reimbursed, procurement contracts or purchase orders must be concluded before September 30, 2023. The measure comes as part of a multi-part scheme adopted by the Council on March 20, which aimed to provide Ukrainian forces with one million rounds of artillery ammunition within 12 months. The New York Times reported that Western nations were falling short in their efforts to provide Ukraine with the necessary amounts of weapons systems and munitions.

Ukraine has also criticized its Western backers over the delays and supposed lack of sufficient supplies. Moscow has warned that “pumping” Kiev with arms and ammunition will only prolong the conflict and risks a dangerous escalation, potentially even a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO.