EU Pledges to Send Ukraine 1.35 Million Shells by Year-End

European Union member states have pledged to deliver at least 1.35 million artillery shells to Ukraine by the end of 2025, with efforts underway to raise the total further.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha made the announcement during a meeting of EU foreign ministers, where he thanked his counterparts for their ongoing military support.

“The Foreign Minister thanked his European colleague Kaja Kallas for the important initiative to provide 2 million artillery ammunition for Ukraine and the EU member states, which have already pledged to supply more than 1.35 million shells in 2025. The minister emphasized that work on increasing this number is ongoing,” the Foreign Ministry noted.

Szybiga also noted the creation by the EU of new effective instruments for the long-term development of the European defense industry.

“This is a new era in European defense. Our goal is the accelerated integration of the Ukrainian and European defense industries. This will strengthen European defense with our unique technologies and strengthen our defenders on the battlefield,” he noted.

According to Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, new EU instruments will help fast-track technological modernization and facilitate Ukraine’s inclusion in European defense supply chains.

As part of the Czech-led ammunition initiative, Ukraine could receive up to 1.8 million artillery rounds this year. The program includes the procurement of not only standard NATO 155 mm and Soviet-era 152 mm shells, but also other calibers over 100 mm.

Deliveries under the initiative have so far included around 500,000 rounds of 155 mm and 152 mm ammunition.
In 2024, the Czech Republic played a significant role in helping Ukraine replenish its artillery stocks. Kyiv hopes for equally strong cooperation this year.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Ukraine expects to receive up to 3 million artillery rounds in total during 2025.
As of late April, the Czech Republic had delivered 400,000 large-caliber shells under a new phase of the initiative. The fund supporting the program continues to grow; in early April, Norway announced a contribution of 4 billion Norwegian kroner (€346 million or $376 million) for ammunition purchases.