Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced to his compatriots on Monday night that European partners had agreed on a joint plan to supply ammunition for Ukrainian artillery worth 2 billion euros, while the US decided on new military aid, in worth 350 million dollars, including missiles for the HIMARS systems.
Volodymyr ZelenskyPhoto: POU / Zuma Press / Profimedia
“Today, we have several important decisions, primarily defense. Our European partners have agreed on a joint plan to accelerate the delivery of shells for our artillery. This decision is worth 2 billion euros. It foresees both the immediate delivery and the production of ammunition”, Volodimir Zelenski began his video message on Monday evening, in which he presented the balance sheet of the day, reports News.ro.
“This is a strategic step. It gives us confidence in our unity, in our victory over the terrorist state”, emphasized the president of Ukraine, expressing his gratitude to the European partners.
“Also today, a new defense package from the United States was announced. It is worth 350 million dollars. It includes HIMARS missiles, artillery and other munitions – everything that is really needed to support our soldiers. I thank President Biden, Congress and all Americans!” said Zelenski.
European Union countries agreed on Monday to a 2 billion euro plan to send 1 million artillery shells to Ukraine by next year, using their own stockpiles and by joining forces to buy more ammunition. The plan approved by ministers was based on a proposal by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borell to spend 1 billion euros on shells from its own stocks to send more supplies to Kiev soon, and another 1 billion euros to joint purchases. Joint purchases will be limited to companies from the EU and from Norway, which has close economic ties with the EU bloc. The new joint procurement effort will be led by the EU’s European Defense Agency, which said the joint approach is “the best option to achieve cost reduction”.
Ukrainian and Western leaders have warned in recent weeks that Kiev is using up the shells faster than its allies can supply them, prompting a new push to send supplies and find ways to speed up production.
Regarding the new aid of the United States, in the amount of 350 million dollars for Ukraine, it was announced on Monday by the American Secretary of State Antony Blinken. “This package of military assistance includes more ammunition for the US-supplied HIMARS and howitzer systems that Ukraine uses to defend itself, as well as ammunition for Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, HARM missiles, anti-tank weapons, boats and other equipment “, Blinken detailed in a statement.
The United States has so far supplied Ukraine with over $30 billion worth of weaponry to defend itself against Russia.
Kiev is trying to collect enough weapons from its Western backers to mount a counter-offensive and try to recapture territory captured by the Russians last year.
Zelenski spoke with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands and the Chancellor of Austria
Zelenski also announced to his compatriots, on Monday evening, that he also discussed with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, about “defense issues, very practical measures that will contribute to the implementation of the Ukrainian peace formula”. This formula is centered on obtaining the withdrawal of Russian troops from all occupied territories. “I informed him about the situation on the front line, about our main needs and capabilities,” stated Volodymyr Zelenskiy. “I thank the Prime Minister for his full understanding of the situation and for his unwavering belief that the power of European values is stronger than Russia’s hatred of European freedom,” the Ukrainian leader said.
Volodymyr Zelenski also announced that he spoke on Monday with the head of the Austrian government, Chancellor Karl Nehammer, about humanitarian and political issues within the framework of bilateral cooperation. “We also discussed our common opportunities to restore justice violated by Russian aggression. I thanked Austria for joining the group that is preparing the establishment of a special court regarding Russia’s aggression against our country”, the president of Ukraine pointed out.
“The circle of partners who are ready to work together to punish Russia for its aggression is inevitably expanding. This makes the prospect of punishment more and more realistic,” Zelenski said, noting that Ireland is also among these partners and thanked the Irish Prime Minister, with whom he also had a telephone conversation on Monday.
“It is not enough to bring to justice those responsible for crimes caused by aggression. It is also necessary to punish, in an absolutely fair and legal way, the original crime that gave rise to all the other crimes of this war. This is what the special tribunal will provide. Every day we are getting closer to its creation,” Zelenski emphasized.
On the other hand, Ireland and Austria could offer treatment and rehabilitation for Ukrainian soldiers wounded on the front, Zelensky said, stating that he discussed this topic with the prime ministers of the two countries.
Finally, as he does every evening, the president of Ukraine nominated several units of the Ukrainian armed forces fighting on the front, praised the soldiers and thanked them for the results they had.
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