This announcement was made by Josep Borrell, the EU's chief diplomat, prior to a meeting with the foreign ministers of EU countries.
Key Points:
Current Status: As of now, approximately 700,000 of the 155-mm artillery shells have been prepared for Ukraine. Borrell acknowledged that while this is a significant number, it still falls short of the one million target. However, he noted that the EU's industrial capacity is continuing to expand, which should help meet the goal.
Ongoing Efforts: Borrell emphasized that the European Union's industry is still ramping up production capabilities, and the manufacturing of ammunition is ongoing. He reiterated the EU's commitment to supporting Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression.
EU's Stance on the Conflict: Borrell clarified that while the EU is focused on aiding Ukraine, it has no intention of going to war with Russia. The goal is solely to support Ukraine in its fight.
Training and Coordination: While there has been discussion about increasing the number of Ukrainian military personnel trained in the EU to 60,000, Borrell stated that sending military instructors to Ukraine is not currently on the agenda. Instead, the creation of a coordination center in Ukraine is being considered.
EU's Support for Ukraine:
Refugee Assistance: The European Union has accepted thousands of Ukrainian refugees since the conflict began.
Sanctions and Aid: The EU has implemented more than 10 packages of sanctions against Russia and continues to provide both financial and military assistance to Ukraine.
Shell Supply Challenges: Earlier in the year, Borrell proposed the production of one million artillery shells for Ukraine, with a target delivery date by March 2024. However, the delivery schedule has experienced delays, highlighting ongoing challenges.
Potential New Initiatives: There has been recent discussion, particularly in German media, about the possibility of the EU sending military instructors to Ukraine to train the Ukrainian Armed Forces directly on Ukrainian soil, marking a potential escalation in the EU's support.
This update underscores the EU's ongoing commitment to supporting Ukraine while navigating the complexities of scaling up military aid and training efforts in the face of continued Russian aggression.
