Yesterday and today in Stockholm, the informal meeting of the European Union defence ministers focused on rapid and effective military aid to Ukraine, with talks centred on the Estonian joint ammunition procurement initiative to provide 1 million rounds of 155 mm ammunition to Ukraine.
“Europe, we have a problem! The capacity for manufacturing artillery ammunition in Europe is too low to both help Ukraine and restore European stocks. Therefore, it is of critical importance to push forward with the Estonian initiative to jointly procure 1 million 155 mm rounds and to do so with new money,” said Pevkur at the meeting of the defence minister.
The minister of defence added that the EU must deliver a clear message to the European defence industry: the money is there, now find a way to quickly shift production into next gear.
“In one day, Russia shoots out the same quantity of ammunition that Europe can manage to produce in one month. Increasing ammunition stocks is a critical capability gap, which has to be repaired both for helping Ukraine as well as for our common security,” added Pevkur.
The informal meeting of the EU Defence Ministers took place in Stockholm, where Sweden, currently holding the EU Council presidency, also hosted the Ukrainian Minister of Defence Oleksii Reznikov and the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
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Photos: Kaitseministeerium | Flickr