The Council of the European Union supported the allocation of €1 billion under the European Peace Fund (EPF) to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

According to the EU Council, this measure will allow the EU to reimburse member states for ammunition donated to Ukraine from existing stocks or from the “reprioritization of existing orders” during the period between February 9 to May 31, 2023.

This decision implements the first part of the Council’s agreement of March 20, 2023, on a three-stage approach intended to speed up the delivery and joint procurement of artillery ammunition.

At that time, the countries of the European Union agreed on the joint purchase of one million ammunitions for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Before that, the defense ministers of the European countries supported the proposal of Josep Borrell, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, to use 1 billion euros from the EPF for the immediate supply of ammunition to Ukraine from the existing stocks of the European armies.

Borrell proposed to use another billion euros to be used for the joint purchase of shells, while any additional funds would have to be agreed upon by member states.

On April 13, Borrell said that with this decision, the EU puts into effect the first part of the agreement reached by EU leaders to support the immediate delivery of €1 billion worth of artillery ammunition for the Ukrainian armed forces.

“There is no better demonstration of the EU’s united resolve and determination to continue supporting Ukraine’s legitimate right of self-defense against the brutal Russian aggressor,” he said.

Deadlines

The EU representatives stated that it would take at least months before the shells ordered under the joint purchases would arrive in Ukraine.

The first orders could be placed until the end of May. However, the EU is convinced that the initiative of large joint purchases should encourage EU member states to send more of their stored shells to Ukraine.

Ukraine stated that it will need a million rounds this year. Estonia estimated that it would cost around €4 billion. The Baltic country was the first among EU members to raise the question of ammunition procurement.

In February, it was noted that Ukraine uses an average of 60,000 to 210,000 rounds of ammunition per month, but the European defense industry only has the capacity to produce 25,000 rounds per month.