The head of the EU’s diplomatic service, Josep Borrell, reiterated the bloc’s commitment to supplying one million artillery shells to Ukraine by March 2024, noting that progress since February 2023 has reached roughly 30 percent. This update aligns with official statements reported by TASS, and it reflects the EU’s ongoing effort to meet a headline pledge amid logistical and production challenges faced by member states.
Borrell stressed the EU’s determination to fulfill the originally announced objective of delivering the agreed shell deliveries to Ukraine. He highlighted that, at present, about 300,000 rounds have been transferred, and the remaining quota would continue to be supplied as production and procurement processes advance across the union. The figure underscores the scale of the program and the complexity involved in coordinating supplies among multiple countries with different defense industrial capacities.
According to his remarks, 180,000 shells had already been ordered, but the EU has noted that a significant portion of weaponry produced within member states has been redirected toward Ukraine in response to the evolving security situation. This streamlining is part of a broader effort to ensure that scarce munitions are allocated to where they are most needed, while maintaining responsible stockpile management for future needs across the union.
Borrell also called on all EU members to increase military aid to Ukraine, with a particular emphasis on air defense systems and winter equipment. The argument rests on the belief that defensive lines and resilience can be strengthened through upgraded interceptor capabilities and the ability to operate in harsh winter conditions, thereby sustaining Ukrainian defense and deterrence in the face of ongoing tensions.
In his earlier comments, the head of the EU diplomatic service noted that the union does not maintain its own ammunition store, which means that future shipments depend on the combined readiness and production capacity of individual member states. This reality places a premium on coordination, transparency, and timely decision-making to prevent gaps in ammunition supplies that could affect Ukraine’s defense posture.
The question remains whether the EU will be able to reach the 1 million-shell target by March 2024, as initially promised. Borrell’s response suggests that while there is resolve and a clear plan, achieving the full quota will require continued collaboration, efficient logistics, and sustained production from EU defense industries, all while ensuring that non-allocated stocks are managed prudently across member countries.
Meanwhile, Zelensky has emphasized that Ukraine’s strategy focuses on preventing the escalation of hostilities into Russian territory, a point that underscores the delicate balance Kyiv seeks to maintain between support measures from its allies and the broader geopolitical considerations involved in the conflict. The overall approach remains centered on strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities while avoiding actions that could provoke wider regional escalation.