To counter a growing number of Russian troops, Ukraine needs more ammunition, in addition to other pledges of military support from allies, the European Union’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.
Russia is massing “almost twice the number of soldiers that were there at the beginning of the war" in Ukraine, adding that the next few weeks will be crucial, he said.
“The Ukrainian army urgently needs large amounts of ammunition to counter Russian aggression,” Borrell said. "A gun needs a bullet.”
“For that, time is of essence. Speed means lives. We need to respond quickly. Not only more support, but to provide it quicker,” Borrell added.
The best way to get ammunition to Ukraine quickly is to share existing European army stockpiles so that there is no time wasted waiting for them to be produced, he said.
"We have to use what has already been produced and stockpiled, or what has already been contracted and will be produced in the coming days. Priority has to be given to the supplies for the Ukrainian army, as much as we can," he said.
Borrel also said a tenth package of sanctions against Russia was also discussed at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday, announcing that they have been “presented as a Regulation for the Council to approve," which should happen in the “next hours, or next days."