There are still disagreements in the European Union regarding the purchase of a million artillery ammunition for the needs of Ukraine.

Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, made a corresponding statement during a press conference in Luxembourg.

He noted that there was already a request for reimbursement of €600 million from EU member states that supplied ammunition to Ukraine.

“I cannot tell you exactly which ammunition will be supplied for these €600 million and at what stage they are now, but there is already a request for reimbursement of €600 million,” Josep Borrell said.

This is the first stage of the implementation of the plan for the supply of ammunition to Ukraine, which involves the transfer of shells from the stockpiles of partner countries.

At the same time, agreements regarding the implementation of the second stage, the order for the production of ammunition, have not yet been reached.

“And on the second track: yes, still there is some disagreement, but I am sure everybody will understand that we are in a situation of extreme urgency. I am sure that in the following days we will reach an agreement. But while we look for this legal agreement, do not believe that we are just sitting and waiting. Overall, the work is ongoing. And once the legal agreement is reached, the practical work will be finished,” Borrell added.

The main question is whether these funds will be allocated to order ammunition at enterprises outside the EU. France, in particular, emphasizes that the funds should remain in the European Union. Because of this, a dispute arose between the ministers of foreign affairs.

There is also a third stage of the implementation of the plan – increasing the production of ammunition at EU enterprises. This is a long-term plan that requires investment in production development.

In total, €2 billion were allocated for the implementation of the procurement plan of 1 million ammunition for Ukraine. Half of the funds will be taken from the European Peace Fund, this amount should reimburse the cost of the stocks that the partners will transfer to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the other half will be financed from other sources – these funds will be spent on joint purchases.