Brussels audits EU countries' weapon supplies to Ukraine
The European External Action Service (EEAS) plans to audit EU countries' weapon supplies to Ukraine by 1 February to present it at the EU leaders' summit.
Source: Financial Times with reference to three European diplomats
Details: An audit is being conducted following the request of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to compare EU countriesє military supplies to Ukraine. Scholz deemed the amounts of weapon supplies to Ukraine planned by most EU member states for 2024 too small and called for an increase in assistance, urging countries to decide on their plans before the EU summit.
Brussels' high-ranking officials who believe that some countries may provide more weapons in critical moments of conflict support the call for greater transparency.
Conclusions are expected to be prepared for the EU leaders' summit scheduled for 1 February.
The EEAS's audit, headed by Josep Borrell, will rely on materials provided by EU member states in response to requests.
However, sources said some countries are unwilling to share full data.
Background:
- Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the United States has allocated US$71.3 billion to Kyiv, including US$43.8 billion for military support.
- By the end of October 2023, Germany provided military assistance to Ukraine exceeding €17 billion, five times more than the second-largest contributor among EU countries, Denmark, as the Kiel Institute for the World Economy reported.
- Other significant providers of military assistance to Ukraine are the United Kingdom, Norway, Denmark, Poland, the Netherlands, Canada, Sweden and Finland.
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