US officials yesterday (May 3) announced a new military aid package worth 300 million USD, including many types of ammunition to serve Ukraine's counterattack.
AP describes the new aid package for Ukraine as including explosives for destroying obstacles, Hydra-70 air-launched missiles and HIMARS rocket artillery, 155mm howitzers and shells, mortar shells of various sizes, BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missiles, AT-4 anti-tank guns and Carl Gustaf weapons and ammunition.
The $300 million aid package was announced after Ukraine said it was close to completing preparations and was ready to counterattack "when God willing, the weather permits and the commanders make the decision."
Including the latest aid package, it brings total US military assistance to Ukraine to more than $35.7 billion after the conflict broke out in late February last year.
"The US government has been working extensively over the past several months to meet Ukraine's requests ahead of the planned counteroffensive," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
To carry out a counter-offensive campaign to regain territory that has been occupied or annexed by Russia, Ukraine needs more than weapons and ammunition.
In fact, Kiev has recently repeatedly asked the US and its allies to provide them with weapons and ammunition "as soon as possible and in as much quantity as possible".
Ukrainian soldiers on an armored personnel carrier head towards the front line near Vuhledar, Donetsk region on May 1. Photo: AP
Against this backdrop, the EU has announced new plans to ramp up large-scale ammunition production, with the aim not only of supplying Ukraine but also of increasing the bloc’s geopolitical position.
Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner for the Internal Market, said on May 3 that he wanted to use $1.1 billion to support ammunition production "as soon as possible" with the aim of supplying Ukraine and adding to member states' reserves. EU funds would cover half of the amount, with the rest co-financed by member states."
"The 27-nation EU bloc now wants to produce ammunition at a record pace as the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to escalate," Breton was quoted by AP as saying.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also stressed: "This is an important part of Europe's strategic capacity to defend its interests and values, and to help maintain peace on our continent."
In addition to commitments to increase production, the EU has transferred ammunition from member states' stockpiles to Ukraine.
In addition to ammunition, 31 NATO countries (mostly EU countries) and other partner countries have provided more than 98% of the combat vehicles promised to Ukraine, amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
“Along with more than 1,550 armored vehicles, 230 tanks and other equipment, Ukraine's allies have sent them “large quantities of ammunition” and have trained and equipped more than nine new Ukrainian brigades,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said last week.
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