Ukraine hopes to receive million artillery rounds from EU - defense chief

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov stated this today in Stockholm, speaking ahead of the informal meeting of EU defense ministers, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Air defense systems are Ukraine’s No.1 priority, Reznikov stressed, along with “munitions, munitions, and more munitions.” He added that he supports Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur’s initiative for the EU to supply 1 million 155 mm artillery rounds to Ukraine.

He also noted the importance of a continued supply of armored infantry fighting vehicles, Leopard tanks, and other heavy equipment, which will allow Ukraine to create a “steel fist” and prepare for own counteroffensive.

Responding to questions from the press regarding the attitude to the slowdown in the delivery of military aid from the EU due to bureaucracy, Oleksii Reznikov noted that as a lawyer, he considers it important to comply with all legal procedures and bureaucratic rules, but at the same time one must take into account the fact that in wartime, it is the pace that plays a decisive role.

"As Jens Stoltenberg told us in Brussels during the latest meeting in the Ramstein format, time saves lives. That is why we need to move forward as quickly as possible," added the Minister of Defense.

As reported earlier, the informal meeting of EU defense ministers under the auspices of Sweden, which presides over the EU, continues today in Stockholm. The first and key issue on the meeting’s agenda is the acceleration of military aid from the EU countries to Ukraine to help the nation defend against Russian aggression. The Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Oleksii Reznikov, is participating in the first session of the ministerial.