German leader Olaf Scholz, the PMs of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, Czech Republic, Petr Fiala, Estonia's Kaja Kallas, and Netherlands' Mark Rutte wrote a joint letter calling for increased support for Ukraine in the long term.
The EU sounds an alarm again because of the weakening of support for Ukraine
According to the authors of the letter, absolutely every EU country should do everything possible to support Ukraine in its war with Russia.
That is why the leaders of the five member states demand that the EU and members of the bloc immediately renew their efforts and increase military support.
They draw attention to the fact that this burden is significant and that all states must do everything possible to support Ukraine — it must remain a collective effort.
At the beginning of last year, the EU undertook the ambitious goal of supplying Ukraine with one million artillery shells by the end of March 2024. The harsh truth: we have not achieved this goal, the authors of the letter admit.
The issue of ammunition for Ukraine must be resolved
On the conviction of EU leaders, it is necessary to "immediately" transfer ammunition and weapons systems to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including howitzers, tanks, unmanned aerial vehicles and air defence systems, since the new orders placed today will not enter the battlefield until next year.
It is essential to start looking for ways to speed up the supply of the promised artillery shells to Ukraine with the help of existing stocks or joint procurement of ammunition through European defence enterprises.
Partner nations can also play an important role, and we invite them to join our collective efforts... Our ability to continue to support and strengthen Ukraine's defenses, both in the winter and in the long term, is critical. This is a matter of our common European security, and for the brave men and women of the Ukrainian armed forces it is a matter of life and death, Scholz, Callas, Frederiksen, Fial and Rutte wrote in their letter.
