EU urges countries to send arms to Ukraine in days, not weeks

(Bloomberg) The European Union's top diplomat is urging member states to quickly provide Kiev with the weapons it has requested, as Ukraine prepares for Russia to intensify its campaign in the east of the country, according to people familiar with the weekend's discussions.

Josep Borrell told EU diplomats that a decision is needed in days rather than weeks, and that the bloc must do whatever it takes to help Ukraine, people said.

Russian troops have been regrouping away from Kiev as Moscow shifts its war campaign to the eastern Dombas region. Russia has suffered a series of setbacks in the north, blocked by fierce Ukrainian resistance on the ground and the skillful use of anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles supplied by NATO member states.

What happens in the east in the coming weeks will be crucial to the outcome of the war. Since Moscow shows little sign of taking the overall peace talks seriously, Ukraine has only a small window to prepare and receive the weapons it needs, said one of the people.

Most EU governments committed to examining requests for weapons, which include tanks and multi-launch rocket systems, but they have yet to indicate a definite time frame and what specific weapons they could send, the person said. The issue will be discussed by foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg later on Monday.

Ahead of the meeting, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told journalists that Ukraine needed more military support, including heavy weapons. “Now is not the time for excuses, now is the time for creativity and pragmatism,” he said.

The United Kingdom announced last week that it would provide Ukraine with some such weapons, including anti-ship missiles.

“Now, another battle is coming, the battle for Dombas. And, of course, we are preparing for it, working with our partners to obtain all the necessary weapons and, basically, everything one needs to win a battle,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday. He cited the need for armored vehicles and weapons that attack ships from land to help counter Russian navy ships coming from the Black Sea.

The Czech Republic's public broadcaster last week showed footage of five tanks and five armored vehicles loaded on a train, saying it was a delivery to Ukraine, while Slovakia is providing Kiev with an air defense system.

The level of military support sent so far has varied among member states, with some countries, such as Germany, accused of being too slow. Meanwhile, Estonia has sent military assets worth about a third of its defence budget and Poland has provided more than 400 million euros (US$436 million) in support, one person estimated.

Other nations have been reluctant to specify the weapons they were donating. And some, including Hungary, have said that they will not provide weapons to Ukraine. Budapest has also banned the transit of weapons through its territory.

EU members have been advised to provide equipment from their frontline supplies and not just from their stocks given the urgency of the situation, according to people familiar with the discussions. Russia is likely to want to announce some kind of achievement in time for the commemorations of the Second World War that will take place on May 9, which means it will intensify its attacks, two of the people said.

the longer term, NATO allies are also looking for ways to help and train Ukraine in the transition to more modern weapons.

On Monday, EU foreign ministers are also expected to discuss new sanctions, including on oil, and hold Russia accountable for reported war crimes.

Original Note:

EU Urges Countries to Send Ukraine Weapons in Days Not Weeks (1)

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