Estonia to provide 10,000 artillery shells to Ukraine
Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur told this to journalists before a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Friday, according to Ukrinform.
He said that the situation at the front is difficult, and the time has come to significantly increase military aid to Ukraine. Pevkur said that they are also in discussions with their partners to explore what more can be done, as Ukraine needs a stronger position in the war for future negotiations. He stressed that Estonia would deliver 10,000 155mm shells this week or next week, along with 750,000 field rations for Ukrainian soldiers in the following weeks.
The minister added that Estonia would continue to work alongside other European partners to procure ammunition for Ukraine. He said that Estonia had completed the preparation of this year's aid package, noting that Ukraine had provided a list of its needs, and Estonia had offered what it could supply. The items selected by Ukraine include reconnaissance and strike drones, medical equipment, and unmanned systems, which Estonia will provide, and an announcement will be made in due course. Pevkur reiterated that Estonia would continue to assist Ukraine as much as possible to ensure a stronger position for negotiations.
He also noted that Estonia is monitoring the global weapons and ammunition market and sees that procurement opportunities are available. If more contributions are made by other countries, Estonia is prepared to procure and deliver additional ammunition. According to the minister, both ammunition and air defense systems are still urgently needed, but there are also other areas that require attention.
Pevkur believes that Europe can certainly do more. He pointed out that many countries, including Sweden, had already announced new aid packages, and Estonia had done the same.
A meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing" in support of Ukraine was held in Brussels under the co-chairmanship of the defense ministers of the UK and France, with the participation of 30 countries. The meeting discussed further military aid to Ukraine and coordination efforts on implementing a peace agreement or ceasefire if reached through negotiations.
Today in Brussels, the Ukraine Defense Contact Group is holding a meeting in the Ramstein format, with representatives from 51 countries. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov is representing Ukraine at both meetings.
