EU proposal for Ukraine is deadlocked on technicalities, according to Politico

Diplomats are still working out how to supply Kiev with artillery ammunition, and who will pocket the profits. The plan, unveiled on March 20, envisioned the delivery of one million 155mm shells to Ukraine over the next 12 months. A package of one billion euros was earmarked for compensating EU members who would dip into their own stockpiles, and another billion for getting new shells made by military contractors. France is reportedly insisting that only EU companies should be considered, but there is legal uncertainty as to who actually qualifies as an EU company. The European Commission also needs to “map out the capacity” of the bloc’s defense industry before finalizing the deal.

EU ambassadors who met on Wednesday weren’t able to make significant progress, but they did manage to finalize the text of the agreement to collect ammunition donations, which should be published next week. Russia has already increased its own ammunition production, tripling the number of shells the US and EU plan to supply Kiev over a year-long period.