May 24, 2023
1 min read

Rift among EU defence ministers over new military aid to Ukraine

Borrell said EU countries had already provided Ukraine with 2,20,000 artillery shells and 1,300 missiles since March….reports Asian Lite News

The defence ministers of the EU member states have failed to reach an agreement on new military aid to Ukraine, the bloc’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said here.

Borrell said after Tuesday’s EU defence ministers’ meeting that the overwhelming majority of member states had backed a proposal to increase the European Peace Facility budget by 3.5 billion euros ($3.77 billion), although he stressed that not all of it will be used to assist Ukraine.

“I still don’t have unanimity on this, and it’s still being discussed,” he said, adding that he expected the remaining “hurdles” to be surmounted soon. He recalled that more than 10 billion euros in military support have already been provided to Ukraine.

Borrell said EU countries had already provided Ukraine with 2,20,000 artillery shells and 1,300 missiles since March. These alone were worth 800 million euros and the EU was on track to provide one billion euros worth of ammunition, Xinhua news agency reported.

“Our aim is to provide one million projectiles over the next 12 months,” he said, adding that the EU had already trained 20,000 Ukrainian soldiers and was on track to train 30,000 by the end of the year.

He said that as part of a three-pronged strategy, member states are being asked to provide ammunition from their own stocks. There is also an effort for the joint procurement of 155 mm calibre ammunition and to boost the capability of European industry to manufacture the necessary ammunition.

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, attended the meeting and briefed ministers on the latest developments in the conflict in Ukraine.

Borrell welcomed the decision to initiate training programmes for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets. He said the training created a positive momentum that will eventually lead to the deployment of these jets in Ukraine.

“I am glad that pilot training has already started, and I hope that soon we will be able to provide this weapon to Ukraine,” he added prior to the start of the meeting in Brussels.

ALSO READ: Meta fined a €1.2 bn over European data transfers

Previous Story

Indian Caucus wants Modi to address US Congress

Next Story

Shivani exhibits ‘classic sophistication’ at Cannes

Latest from -Top News

‘Hands off West Bank’

A wave of condemnation from across the Middle East and Muslim-majority nations has surged following calls by Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin to impose formal Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank.

Trinidad Eager to Deepen Ties with India: Envoy

Trinidad and Tobago, home to a large Indian-origin population—many of whom are now in their fifth and sixth generations—offered a unique cultural resonance to the visit….reports Asian Lite News Prime Minister Narendra

Labour peer David Lipsey found dead

In the House of Lords, Lord Lipsey was known for his dedication to social justice and his commitment to improving the lives of others The Labour peer, Lord David Lipsey, has been

UK Space Agency set to clean up space debris

Efforts to clean up space debris mark a pivotal step in the UK’s efforts to protect vital space infrastructure and ensure the long-term safety of the orbital environment The UK Space Agency
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Canada launches Ukraine Sovereignty Bond

The funds will assist the government of Ukraine so it

Putin may visit Turkey in April, says Erdogan

Turkish President said that Putin may either travel to Mersin