Europe is awakening from 'siesta', accelerating its defense industry capacities - Ukrainian PM
Denys Shmyhal, Prime Minister of Ukraine (photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Europe has begun to wake up from its "siesta" and increase the capacity of the defense industry, states the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal.
"We are also very grateful for the military support that the EU is delivering to Ukraine. Europe is awakening after having a "siesta". And we expect that the European industrial defense complex will accelerate its capacities, and I am certain that we are going to feel it very soon. We've discussed this with Mr. Borrell today," Shmyhal said.
According to the Prime Minister, accelerating the supply of artillery ammunition to Ukraine is one of the key priorities today.
In particular, Shmyhal welcomed Borrell's contribution to strengthening the European Peace Facility (EPF), which supports the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and said he expects to see a decision on the establishment of the Ukraine Assistance Fund within the EPF soon.
"Additionally, I would like to thank the EU for its recent decision to engage Ukraine in the process of developing a new European Defense Industrial Strategy (EDIS). I am certain that the perspectives for us to have joint ventures in the military complex are very positive and optimistic," the Prime Minister added.
One million shells for Ukraine
In March 2023, the EU countries agreed to supply Ukraine with one million shells. The delivery was to be completed first by the end of 2023 and then by March 2024. However, the delivery will not take place on time because there is a lack of production capacity.
As Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba noted earlier, if Kyiv does not receive the required amount of artillery ammunition from one source, it will work to secure supplies from other sources.
According to Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur, the delivery of the promised million shells is delayed until the end of 2024.
