Borrell: Kyiv to receive half of promised shells by March

(Patria) - The European Union will not achieve the goal of sending one million artillery shells to Ukraine by March, but slightly more than half of that number will be delivered by the deadline, says the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.

After a meeting of EU defense ministers in Brussels, Borrell stated that around 52 percent of the promised shells will be delivered by March, and the initial goal will be met by the end of the year, reports RSE.

The goal was set in response to Ukraine's need for 155-millimeter caliber artillery shells, which have become a key element in its fight against Russian forces.

- There was some initial inertia, but when things get moving, they can accelerate - said Borrell, explaining why the EU will not meet its deadline.

According to him, the production capacity of artillery shells in Europe has increased by 40 percent since the beginning of the war and is expected to reach 1.4 million annually by the end of this year.

- The European Defence Agency has signed 60 framework contracts for the joint procurement of 155-millimeter caliber ammunition - added Borrell.