On Monday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba might express Kyiv’s anger with EU foreign ministers over the delay in buying munitions to help Ukraine resist Russia’s invasion.
Last week, Kuleba tweeted her concern that a landmark EU contract to buy artillery rounds for Ukraine jointly has failed to be executed due to differences over how much of the business must stay in Europe.
“The EU’s inability to implement its own decision on the joint procurement of ammunition for Ukraine is frustrating,” Kuleba said Thursday.
“For Ukraine, the cost of inaction is measured in human lives,” he cautioned.
Kuleba can address the situation and Ukraine’s issues through a video link at a Luxembourg EU foreign ministers’ conference. EU ambassadors anticipate it.
As Ukrainian and Russian forces fight an attritional battle, artillery rounds, especially 155mm shells, are crucial. Officials claim Kyiv uses more ammunition than its allies can provide.
Last month, foreign ministers approved a multi-track EU accord to deliver 1 million artillery shells or missiles to Ukraine within 12 months and increase European armaments production.
It reimburses EU nations for supplying existing armaments to Ukraine with 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion).
EU officials countered Kuleba’s accusations by noting that Kyiv already receives ammunition via this fast track.
The second track, worth 1 billion euros for joint procurement, is still being finalized.
EU and Norway, which has close economic connections to the bloc, agreed to sell the bombs.
Diplomats said France, a proponent of a bigger EU defense sector with a large arms industry, wants European production.
Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland are dissatisfied. They doubt European industry can make shells rapidly.
EU officials and diplomats expected an all-party accord in the coming days. However, others had predicted a deal last week, after Easter breaks, only to be disappointed.
“We should not lose sight of what our goal is here and that is helping Ukraine,” said an EU ambassador, speaking anonymously.
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