Will the EU break its promise of 1 million artillery shells for Ukraine?

155mm ammunition for the French Caesar gun, in Tarbes, southwestern France, on April 4. The Caesar gun is being used by Ukraine on the front line (Photo: Getty).

The European External Action Service informed EU diplomats this week that the EU may miss its March 2024 target, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

Under a plan put forward earlier this year, the EU pledged to supply artillery shells to Ukraine over a 12-month period, first using existing stocks, then through joint procurement contracts and increased production.

Bloomberg had previously reported that the EU was falling short of its target. More than halfway through the deadline, the EU initiative has so far achieved only about 30% of its goal and is at risk of missing the deadline, based on the number of contracts signed.

A spokesman for the European External Action Service declined to comment to Bloomberg on the matter.

Some member states have been reluctant to disclose details of supplies and the EU may ask them to share more information about planned shipments to get a full picture, according to people familiar with the matter. The issue will be discussed at a meeting of EU defence ministers next week.

Supplying ammunition to Ukraine has become all the more urgent as Russia has been able to increase its own ammunition production.

As Ukraine braces for a prolonged war, any shortages from Europe could become more acute if supplies and support from Washington also decline, possibly especially after the 2024 US election.

The Pentagon said this week it had begun cutting military aid to Ukraine as the US Congress delayed additional funding.

Meanwhile, EU member states continue to argue over providing more military and financial aid to Ukraine, with the deployment of some funds stalled due to hesitation and controversy among some countries.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/eu-se-that-hua-1-trieu-vien-dan-phao-cho-ukraine-20231111115304288.htm