Ukraine expects the European Union to take three main steps to increase the supply of artillery shells to the frontline for Ukrainian soldiers. This was stated by Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba at a joint press conference with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell in Kyiv on February 7.
"First, we urge EU governments to sign long-term contracts with defense companies to help them increase their production capacity. When they have long-term contracts, they feel confident and invest in increasing production. This will significantly speed up the supply of shells to Ukraine," Kuleba said.
The second step is the need to remove all regulatory barriers for interaction between European defense companies.
"Both European and Ukrainian companies so that there are no administrative obstacles, no legal obstacles for interaction between them and the increase of production," the minister noted.
The third step is the need to stimulate negotiations with European companies and third countries to restructure and reorient existing contracts for the supply of shells from these countries to Ukraine.
"Another action falls into the same category. It is necessary to increase imports of ammunition from third countries, their warehouses or their production facilities. If we act comprehensively on all these tracks, the increase in artillery shells at the front will be noticeable. And all of this is within reach at the meetings that Josep is having today with me, the government, and the President of Ukraine," the Foreign Minister said.
