EU delivers 220,000 shells and 1,300 missiles to Ukraine – Borrell

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said this at a briefing following the meeting of EU defense ministers on Tuesday, the Guardian reports.

Borrell reminded that the three-pronged strategy approved by the EU Council includes delivery of artillery shells from EU stockpiles, joint purchases from defense companies, and investments in industrial facilities to create future supply chain resilience.

Speaking about the provision of artillery shells from EU stockpiles, he noted that the data is actually much better than he had ten days ago.

“Today I can announce that EU member states have provided 220,000 artillery rounds of various calibers. And 1,300 missiles,” he said.

Borrell added that “the overwhelming majority of member states” have said they are in favor of increasing the European Peace Facility budget, with €1bn of that earmarked for Ukraine.

The fund is used to reimburse EU member states that supply military aid to Kyiv.

“Our aim is to provide 1m projectiles over the next 12 months,” Borrell told reporters, also revealing that the EU had now trained 20,000 Ukrainian soldiers and was on track to train 30,000 by the end of the year.

So far 24 EU countries plus Norway have agreed. In a third track the EU will sanction joint procurement of munitions by EU member states from the European defense industry with €1bn agreed for this purpose earlier this month.

“In Europe it’s very important at the moment [that] we develop an industrial base for defense which is very different to the one we have at the moment,” he said.

• On April 13, the EU Council approved the allocation of EUR 1 billion for ammunition for Ukraine.

• On May 2, the EU prepared a plan to produce 1 million shells for Ukraine and its own stockpiles.