The head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, shared updated figures at a press briefing following the EU Defense Council’s sessions, noting that EU member states have contributed 220,000 artillery shells and 1,300 missiles to Ukraine within the current year, totaling around 800 million euros in value. These numbers underscore a sustained commitment from Europe to bolster Ukraine’s defensive capacity. The update also highlighted a broader strategic aim: to push for an additional one million rounds of ammunition to be delivered to Ukraine in the coming year, a target that reflects both immediate needs on the ground and longer-term defense planning. The plan includes encouraging EU nations to draw on their existing stockpiles rather than waiting for new production to come online, in a bid to accelerate delivery timelines and reduce potential gaps in supply. (Source: TASS)
In parallel, Borrell noted that twenty-four EU member states are participating in a joint effort to expand the production of 155 mm artillery shells, a project valued at about one billion euros. This initiative is being coordinated by the European Defence Agency, which is overseeing the scaling up of manufacturing capacity, supply chains, and quality controls. The collective effort aims to strengthen the Union’s strategic autonomy while ensuring Ukraine receives a steady stream of necessary munitions. (Source: TASS)
Earlier in the week, after discussions between EU foreign ministers and their Ukrainian counterpart, Dmitry Kuleba, Borrell affirmed the plan to deliver long-range weapons to Kyiv. He stressed that Ukraine requires weaponry capable of striking at the same distances as some of the adversaries, signaling a push for parity in range to deter potential escalation and to support Ukraine’s military objectives. The dialogue reflects a broader European resolve to align diplomatic and military assistance with Kyiv’s evolving security needs, even as allies seek to balance rapid support with regional stability. (Source: TASS)