13 minutes agoEU Draws Close to Deal on Common Drug Procurement for Ukraine
Periskopi(3 years ago)
(3 years ago)European defence ministers will discuss plans to speed up the 155mm ammunition supply to Ukraine, which is demanding more artillery shells to fight Russia's invasion and order more ammunition together. Hanno Pevkur, Estonian Defence Minister who has led a push for [...]
Hanno Pevkur, Estonian Defence Minister who has led a push for the EU to order millions of shells, said he believed ministers would reach a “consensis political” to follow the joint procurement when they meet in Stockholm on Wednesday.
But he noted that the main issues were still for debate, such as the way of paying for joint purchases.
Pevkur insisted EU members cannot rely on funds already allocated for military assistance to Ukraine.
“We need a clear consensus that there should be new money for this initiative,” he told Reuters in a telephone interview.
Both sides in Ukraine are firing thousands of artillery shells every day, but Russia can shoot thousands more because of larger supplies, Kiev and his allies say.
They have also said Ukraine is using missiles faster than its allies can produce.
The sending of shells to Ukraine has also badly reduced Kiev Allied reserves, according to officials, although accurate levels are classified.
