Estonian minister asks EU to increase spending on defence and support for Ukraine

The EU needs to increase spending on defence and support for Ukraine, Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said.

Source: European Pravda, citing Hanno Pevkur at an informal meeting of EU defence ministers in Toledo, Spain

Quote from Pevkur: "The slow pace of European defence spending and investment hinders both the support of Ukraine and the development of national defence capabilities. Not only the lives of Ukrainians are at stake, but also the defence capability of Europe itself."

Details: Pevkur says that the European Peace Facility supported Ukraine in the amount of €4.6 billion, which is only 0.03% of the European GDP.

Pevkur emphasised that this proves that the EU "has the collective ability to continue to support Ukraine to the victorious end and ensure the safety of our citizens".

He also recalled the agreement to supply Ukraine with one million rounds of ammunition by the spring of 2024.

Quote: "With six months to go, it is already clear that all EU member states will have to make more efforts to achieve this goal. In addition to supplying existing munitions and new production, we must urgently consider alternatives to achieve the goal, including upgrading obsolete munitions and purchasing from third countries".

Background:

• In July, Hanno Pevkur expressed hope that Ukraine would win the war with Russia this year.
• It was previously reported that the White House is working with Congress to allocate additional funds to Ukraine.

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