Media: EU confesses its inability to maintain Ukraine ammunition pledge

(MENAFN) The European Union faces a significant setback as it acknowledges its inability to meet its target of delivering 1 million artillery shells to Ukraine by March next year, according to reports by Bloomberg. The European Union had earlier committed to boosting ammunition supplies through direct transfers and collaborations with private industry. However, sources, requesting anonymity, reveal that the European External Action Service, the foreign policy arm of the European Union, has communicated to member states about the sluggish progress in the ammunition drive.

Despite the bloc's promise to provide hundreds of thousands of 155-millimeter shells to Kiev, aiming for the ambitious goal of 1 million by March 2024, the European Union has fallen significantly short, managing only 30 percent of the pledged amount, as reported by Bloomberg. The revelation raises questions about the European Union's ability to fulfill its commitment within the given timeframe.

The initial proposal involved drawing shipments directly from the stockpiles of European Union member states and later signing contracts with arms manufacturers, with an estimated cost of around EUR2 billion. With the deadline just months away, the feasibility of achieving the target remains uncertain. The matter is expected to be a focal point of discussion at the upcoming European Union defense ministers' meeting, where officials will also address the provision of billions in additional security aid to Ukraine.

Concerns have been raised regarding the reluctance of some European Union members to disclose details about their ammunition stocks, potentially prompting the bloc to request more information to assess its capability to meet the promised target. The urgency of the situation is underscored by the ongoing conflict between Ukrainian forces and Moscow, resulting in a significant depletion of ammunition and military resources. Ukrainian officials have consistently appealed to foreign sponsors to expedite the delivery of arms and ammunition to support their efforts.

As the European Union grapples with internal challenges and increasing pressure to fulfill its commitments, the upcoming defense ministers' meeting will play a pivotal role in shaping the bloc's strategy and determining the extent of support it can provide to Ukraine in the midst of heightened geopolitical tensions.

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