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Ukrainian FM Kuleba calls for Europe to suspend ammunition sales to third countries

Europe Urged to Halt Ammunition Exports to Aid Ukraine Defence

Kiev, Feb 26 (IANS) – Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has urged Europe to suspend ammunition exports to third countries other than Ukraine to address critical shortages faced by the Ukrainian military. The appeal comes as $61 billion in US defence aid remains stuck in Congress.

Kiev is grappling with a severe lack of ammunition, as reported by The Kyiv Independent, potentially leading to a catastrophic shortage of ammunition and air defences in the coming weeks. Kuleba stated, “All contracts for the export of ammunition produced in Europe to third countries must be put on hold, and all such ammunition should be sent to Ukraine.”

Acknowledging delays in ramping up ammunition production, Ukraine’s European allies have admitted to being “too late” in their efforts. The European Union’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, emphasized the need for member states to procure ammunition for Ukraine, even outside the EU if it is a better and quicker option. Plans to jointly finance the purchase of artillery shells have been initiated by Czechia, with support from Canada.

However, opposition from certain EU members like France, Greece, and Cyprus towards buying ammunition outside the bloc presents challenges. Denmark, on the other hand, has decided to donate all artillery rounds from its stockpiles to Ukraine in response to the urgent appeal for assistance. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov highlighted the dire need for artillery shells, air defence systems, and long-range weapons.

Reports from Estonia’s Foreign Intelligence Service indicate that Russia’s ability to refurbish Soviet stocks of artillery ammunition poses a concerning challenge for Ukraine’s defence capabilities. The widening gap in available artillery ammunition between Ukraine and Russia is projected to exacerbate by 2024. Despite these challenges, the EU aims to deliver over one million shells to Ukraine by the end of 2024.

The call for Europe to halt ammunition exports to third countries other than Ukraine underscores the urgent need to address the critical shortages faced by the Ukrainian military. With funding delays and increasing threats, ensuring a steady supply of ammunition to bolster Ukraine’s defence capabilities remains a pressing concern for European allies.

IANS

IANS, established in 1986, is India's largest independent news service, offering 24x7 news from India and South Asia, and a preferred source for diverse content across six business verticals.

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