USA: According to diplomats involved in the negotiations, Politico reported on Wednesday that the "historic" agreement to give the Ukrainian military two billion euros ($2.14 billion) worth of artillery ammunition is still being worked out. The main point of contention is reportedly uncertainty over who will receive the funds.
One million 155mm shells would be sent to Ukraine over the course of the following 12 months, according to the plan, which was unveiled on March 20. One billion euros were set aside for reimbursing EU members who used their own stockpiles, and another one billion was allocated to ordering new shells from military contractors, with orders coordinated and expedited by the EU Defense Agency.
According to the NATO-supporting outlet, the current issue is determining which contractors.
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According to reports, France is insisting that only EU companies should be taken into account, but it is unclear under the law who exactly qualifies as an EU company. The French stance is shared by Greece and Cyprus, which diplomats have attributed to a desire to refrain from instructing Turkey.
According to the NATO-supporting outlet, the current issue is determining which contractors.
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According to reports, France is insisting that only EU companies should be taken into account, but it is unclear under the law who exactly qualifies as an EU company. The French stance is shared by Greece and Cyprus, which diplomats have attributed to a desire to refrain from instructing Turkey.
Josep Borrell, the head of EU foreign policy, had put forth the ammunition plan in February, saying it was the most crucial issue. He said at the time, "If we fail on that, the outcome of the war is in danger."
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While maintaining that they were not parties to the conflict, the US, EU, and NATO have all argued that Russia "must lose" and Ukraine "must win." Moscow has repeatedly urged the West to refrain from "stuffing" Kiev with weapons and ammunition, claiming that doing so will only cause a confrontation to break out in the open.
According to President Vladimir Putin, Russia has already tripled the amount of shells it plans to give Kiev over the course of a year by increasing its own ammunition production.
