Several EU countries have granted tentative consent to the multibillion-dollar joint purchase of ammunition for Ukraine and replenishment of their own stockpiles.
That’s according to Bloomberg, Ukrinform reports.
A proposal put forward by Estonia earlier this week to invest about EUR 4 billion in the joint procurement of millions of artillery rounds has seen preliminary approval from the Netherlands and Romania, according to the report.
It is noted that the ultimate decision on the issue may be passed as early as next month, at the meeting of EU leaders in March after EU foreign ministers discuss the plan as they meet in Brussels on Monday, Bloomberg claims.
The agency emphasizes that each day, Ukraine fires off more artillery rounds than EU countries are able to produce. Dutch defense chief Kaisa Olongren praised the initiative, stressing the problem of ammunition supplies to Ukraine. She noted that the Netherlands is already working to replenish the stocks but scaling up the efforts would be appreciated.
Romanian Defense Minister Bogdan Aurescu also expressed support for the proposal, noting that joint efforts are much more efficient.
In addition to Estonia, which put forward the joint procurement initiative, it was also backed by Poland and France.
Source: Some EU nations support joint purchases of munitions for Ukraine - media
