European Union foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell has outlined a broad, three-phase plan intended to move one million artillery shells to Ukraine over the coming year, backed by a funding envelope of two billion euros. The plan, described through social and official channels, emphasizes rapid delivery, collaborative procurement, and a surge in production capacity to meet rising security needs in Eastern Europe. The announcement underscores the EU’s commitment to strengthening Ukraine’s defense while coordinating member states around a unified logistical framework for ammunition reserves and supply chains. [Citation: EU Foreign Affairs Council communications]
According to Borrell, the approach unfolds in three concrete steps: an initial phase of one billion instant delivery actions, a second phase focused on one billion euros of joint purchases to secure critical munitions, and the establishment of a production-boosting commission designed to substantially raise overall production capacity. The wording reflects an integrated strategy to reduce bottlenecks, streamline procurement, and ensure predictable access to essential arms supplies for Kyiv. [Citation: European Union official briefings]
Earlier assessments of EU military strategy highlighted by Borrell indicate that defense spending is anticipated to rise substantially. The EU Strategic Compass framework projects an overall increase of roughly 70 billion euros in defense outlays by 2025, which would amount to about one third more than the 2021 baseline. This projection appears in conjunction with a broader push to modernize equipment, expand industrial capacity, and harmonize security investments across member states. [Citation: EU Strategic Compass summary]
In February 2023, the head of European diplomacy signaled that an additional seventy billion euros could be mobilized for defense over the following two years. Speaking at a major security conference, Borrell highlighted that France and Poland are expected to lead in defense spending growth, signaling a renewed emphasis on national capacity expansion and cross-border collaboration to sustain frontline resilience. The emphasis on France and Poland reflects a pattern of country-specific commitments that bolster the EU’s collective deterrence posture and logistical readiness. [Citation: Munich Security Conference remarks]