EU helps Ukraine with ammo in three ways, Commission’s president says

The European Union is providing Ukraine with ammunition it critically needs in three different ways, the EU commission’s president said on Tuesday.

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Speaking in Kyiv alongside Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ursula von der Leyen stressed that EU assistance in meeting Ukraine's ammunition needs is a "priority".

The fastest way is the immediate transfer of ammunition from EU member states’ stockpiles, she said.

"We have allocated EUR 1 billion for this purpose, and it is working. Significant stockpiles of ammunition have already been transferred or are on their way to Ukraine," Ms von der Leyen told a press conference.

"But we urgently need to do more."

The other two mechanisms include allocating EUR 1 billion for the purchase of 155-mm and 152-mm ammunition for Ukraine and increasing and accelerating EU members’ ammo production.

In March, the EU agreed on a plan to purchase ammunition for Ukraine for EUR 2 billion, with the aim of providing a million artillery rounds.

It was finalised last week, when the member states settled a dispute regarding the joint procurement of ammo.