EU urges rapid armament assistance to Ukraine and discusses joint procurement
The European Union is prioritizing the resupply of arms to Ukraine, especially ammunition, as a top priority for member governments. In a briefing, the EU’s high representative for foreign policy stressed that Russia fires tens of thousands of rounds daily and that Ukraine must reach a comparable level of capacity. Josep Borrell urged the 27 governments to mobilize their stockpiles to aid Kiev against the Russian aggression, warning that a clash could unfold in the coming weeks. He emphasized that sharing ammunition is the most efficient way to respond promptly, given the time required to ramp up production in industry and secure new orders. During a Brussels foreign ministers meeting, he underscored the urgency facing European armies with ammunition reserves under strain.
The high representative reiterated the urgency as Ukraine’s ammunition consumption exceeds its current production. He explained that if the shortage is urgent and time is tight, solutions must rely on existing inventories while the production pipeline is expanded. Speaking to reporters, the Spanish diplomat highlighted the need for large-caliber ammunition for tanks and artillery to sustain frontline operations.
EU defense ministers are tasked with exploring the possibility of joint purchases, particularly for 155-caliber ammunition that Ukraine requires. The aim is to present concrete proposals at an informal ministerial meeting scheduled under the Swedish EU presidency in early March. The official noted that procedures should be launched to increase European production capacity more rapidly, acknowledging the common objective of strengthening the continent’s industrial base to meet demand.
European Peace Fund and funding options
Several pathways are under consideration. One straightforward option is to contribute more to the European Peace Fund, which has already allocated about 3.6 billion euros for arming Ukraine. There is a shared commitment to use the European Peace Support Fund to secure funding, while coordinating efforts between the European Defense Agency and the European Commission. Member states are being encouraged to release additional reserves to support Ukraine, according to the officials.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares welcomed the discussions. Estonia has proposed a substantial allocation for armaments purchases, stressing the importance of rapid action. He indicated that many colleagues would travel to New York for the United Nations General Assembly in the coming days to seek a coordinated international approach. After the talks, support appeared broad among participants, with no significant opposition voiced.
The ministers’ meeting also covered the implementation of the tenth sanctions package against Russia, which had reached the technical approval stage. The objective remains to finalize the package within days and certainly before the one-year mark since the invasion. Officials expressed strong confidence that the measure would be adopted promptly, with ongoing studies assessing sanctions policy and its impact on the Russian economy.
In a related development, a new round of sanctions was announced targeting Iran. The measures seek to respond to internal repression and the deterioration of the situation for protesters. The list includes individuals and entities accused of suppressing dissent and threatening artists and scholars, along with broader actions perceived as government-backed intimidation. The package also names members of security forces and judges involved in human rights abuses, reflecting a broad approach to pressure Tehran to change policies.