EU To Miss Its Ukraine Munitions Aid Target
German Defense Minister Reveals the EU is Behind Target
Overt Operator
November 15, 2023
The European Union (EU) announced on Tuesday that it will not meet its target of delivering one million artillery shells and missiles to Ukraine by March of next year. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius made the admission during a summit of EU defense ministers in Brussels.
On November 15, media reports wrote that European Leaders continued to consider aid packages to Ukraine as the war wears on into its 90th week, with massive Russian casualties in Avdiivka, and both sides scoring territorial points.
This is the first public acknowledgment by a senior EU official that the goal will not be achieved, although doubts have been expressed privately for several months. The pledge was made in response to Ukraine's urgent need for artillery shells as its ongoing conflict with Russian invading forces has reached a stalemate. The commitment was part of a three-part program aimed at boosting ammunition supplies to Ukraine.
The first part of the program involved EU member states contributing from their existing stockpiles, while the second part focused on joint procurement initiatives to order new shells from industry. Pistorius revealed that the EU is currently working with arms manufacturers to increase the production of weapons and ammunition for Ukraine.
The announcement comes just days after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's governing coalition agreed in principle to double the country's military aid for Ukraine next year. If approved by parliament, this boost will raise Germany's defense spending to 2.1 percent of its gross domestic product, surpassing the 2 percet target pledged by all NATO members.
However, there are reservations among several EU countries, including Germany, about committing to long-term military aid of up to $5 billion annually over four years. These concerns stem from broader Western security commitments to bolster Ukraine's defenses.
Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy recently issued a warning to the nation during his nightly video address. While the EU's failure to meet its target is undoubtedly concerning, Zelenskyy's call for unity and resilience highlights the importance of finding alternative solutions to meet Ukraine's urgent ammunition needs.
As the conflict between Ukraine and Russian invading forces continues, the international community must work together to provide the necessary support and resources to ensure Ukraine's defense capabilities. The EU's commitment to ramping up production in collaboration with arms manufacturers is an encouraging step, although further efforts will be required to meet Ukraine's immediate requirements.
In the face of this setback, the EU and its member states must reassess their strategies and explore alternative avenues for supporting Ukraine. The ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine demands swift action and a unified response from the international community to bring stability and security to the region.