He called on countries to support Ukraine by any means possible, including “digging further into your stock, where possible; placing orders by procuring on your own or – preferably – jointly from the European industry; buying ammunition immediately available on the market; or financing Ukrainian industry.”
In recent weeks, political gridlock in Washington has led to roadblocks in sending aid from the U.S.
“Doing nothing is not an option,” he stressed.
According to the numbers cited in the letter, the EU has donated 355,000 rounds. By the end of March, they aim to donate about 524,000 rounds and by the end of the year, the aim is 1,155,000 rounds.
In March 2023, the EU reached a deal to send 1 million rounds of ammunition to Ukraine by March 2024 and they have missed that target as Ukraine’s counter-offensive stalled.
Russia on Sunday claimed it now completely controls the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka after Kyiv withdrew its forces from the area, in what seemed to be Moscow’s biggest success in nine months as the war stalled.
Borrell also urged EU countries to disclose what they are doing at the bilateral level, where the EU has no oversight. Of Europe’s biggest military powers, France is doing the most lackluster job in sending arms and ammunition to Ukraine, according to a calculation of international aid by Germany’s Kiel Institute.
“Together, I believe we can make a difference – for Ukraine and for the security of Europe – but this require [sic] immediate action. Time is of the essence.”
