Kiev, February 26 (IANS). Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in an interview with a German media portal that Europe should suspend ammunition exports to third countries other than Ukraine in view of the shortages facing Ukraine's military. This interview was published on Monday.
Kyiv is facing a serious ammunition shortage as $61 billion of US funding is stuck in Congress, leading to a reduction in defense aid delivery, the Kyiv Independent reports.
Reports suggest that Ukraine could face a severe shortage of ammunition and air defense within weeks.
“All contracts for exporting ammunition produced in Europe to third countries should be banned and all such ammunition should be sent to Ukraine,” Kuleba told the media portal.
“Every cartridge produced in Europe must serve the purpose of the defense of Europe.”
According to Kuleba, Ukraine's European allies are aware of the ammunition shortage and have admitted that they have been “very careful” in deciding to “increase their own production, sign long-term contracts and commission new production lines”. “Late”.
“Unfortunately, we are now paying for these mistakes,” he said.
Josep Borrell, the EU's top diplomat, said after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on February 19 that he urged member states to look outside the bloc if this source of supply was “better, cheaper and faster.” Buy ammunition for Ukraine.
The plan to buy ammunition from outside the bloc faces opposition from France, Greece and Cyprus. France wants to boost its domestic defense industry while Greece and Cyprus do not want to buy arms from Turkish producers given their strained relations with Ankara.
Denmark responded to Kiev's appeal for help by deciding to donate all of its artillery, The Kyiv Independent reports.
The EU aims to provide Ukraine with more than one million shells by the end of 2024.
–IANS
AKJ/
