EU countries ask for €10 billion in compensation for arms supplies to Ukraine – Kommersant

The countries of the European Union (EU) billed Brussels for €10 billion to compensate for the supply of weapons to Ukraine, said the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell. He confirmed that Hungary is blocking the allocation of the next tranche to Kyiv.

Upon arrival at the meeting of EU defense ministers, Mr. Borrell said that the meeting would discuss the supply of ammunition to Ukraine. “Member countries have provided us with €10 billion in invoices, which is significantly more than expected. That is, with €3.5 billion (allocated from the European Peace Fund.— “b”) we have already been able to mobilize €10 billion in arms supplies,” he clarified (quoted by TASS).

Speaking about the allocation of a new tranche of €500 million from the fund for the supply of weapons, the head of European diplomacy said that the Hungarian authorities are against it. “Unfortunately, this is a reality, Hungary continues to block (the allocation of a new tranche.— “b”), but we will solve this problem, we cannot block aid to Ukraine,” Josep Borrell said.

On April 13, the European Council approved a plan to supply Ukraine with €1 billion worth of ammunition through the Peace Fund. In May, the EU presented a plan to increase the production of shells for artillery of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, for this purpose they will spend € 1.5 billion. The UK Ministry of Defense revealed cases of resale of weapons before they entered the conflict zone in Ukraine.

Read about what happens after the entry of Russian troops into Ukraine in the online broadcast of Kommersant.

Laura Keffer