EU to Provide Ukraine with euro1 Billion in Ammunition
(MENAFN) On Friday, the European Union Council announced that European Union members have agreed on a financing mechanism where Ukraine will receive euro1 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 "if requested." This additional euro1 billion worth of ammunition comes after the bloc's members had already agreed to send euro1 billion worth of ammo to Kiev out of its own stocks in April. Therefore, a total of euro2 billion worth of ammunition will be sent to Ukraine under the European Union's military support plan. The European Union's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, stated that "together with the previous decision to swiftly provide ammunition from existing stocks, we are committing euro2 billion to this purpose, bringing the total European Union military support to Ukraine to €5.6 billion."
The ammunition will be purchased and delivered by European Union members, and procurement contracts or purchase orders will need to be concluded before September 30, 2023, in order to be reimbursed. Additionally, the ammunition must only be purchased from "economic operators established in the European Union or Norway," as stated by the European Union Council. This measure is part of a multi-part scheme that was adopted by the Council on March 20, which aimed to provide Ukrainian forces with one million rounds of artillery ammunition within 12 months.
The decision to provide such extensive military support to Ukraine comes amid tensions with Russia over Ukraine's territorial integrity. The European Union has been a strong supporter of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and has imposed sanctions on Russia for its annexation of Crimea and its involvement in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The provision of ammunition is seen as a way to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities and deter any potential aggression from Russia.
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