Ukraine needs munitions “here and now”: Morawiecki suggests buying rounds outside EU
That’s according to Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, who spoke in an interview with RMF.FM, Ukrinform reports.
"In Brussels, Polichinelle's secret is that there is no ammunition in Europe. But there are several places in the world, including South Korea and Israel, where there is much more of these munitions. Therefore, I expect that our joint talks – by the European Commission and several key countries, in particular Poland, Germany, and France – will lead to the quick receipt of ammunition, as Ukraine needs them here and now," Morawietcki emphasized.
He assured that he would convince skeptical nations, such as France, about the need for the EU to jointly purchase ammunition for Ukraine in third countries because these volumes are needed "very quickly."
"Since we don't have enough ammunition in Europe, we have to buy it from abroad," the Polish Prime Minister emphasized.
He added that this is exactly what Poland is doing now, purchasing modern weaponry from South Korea and the USA.
Morawiecki also said that both enterprises of the state-owned Polish Arms Group (PGZ) and private defense companies can count on more defense orders for the production of additional ammunition.
He noted that not only the Polish defense company Dezamet S.A., which will be visited by European Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton on Monday, but also other Polish defense firms, will be able to receive defense orders from the EU.
"It’s not only this company that can count on new orders and European funds. At this facility and at other enterprises in Poland, we will install new technological lines for the production of ammunition. It will take a little more time, and at this enterprise, we will try to increase the production of ammunition by magnitudes as soon as possible," the head of the Polish government emphasized.
He noted that he is also counting on various initiatives with the participation of private companies that will be able to quickly produce this kind of products.
Morawiecki noted that he had spoken with the Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, and that the latter said two private German companies, with the support of the federal government, would be able to produce more ammunition.
"We want to do the same thing: PGZ and private production," emphasized the Prime Minister of Poland.
The head of the Polish government said it was “difficult to imagine” how many missiles and artillery shells are being fired off at the front in Ukraine each day. Daily, Ukraine’s Armed Forces utilize 2,000 to 6,000 rounds, while the Russians fire 20,000 to 60,000.
"Therefore, this production must cover the needs," Morawiecki stated.
As Ukrinform reported earlier, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said the 11th package of EU sanctions against Russia should be adopted within the next two months, despite the observed "fatigue" in a number of EU countries.
