“A matter of life and death”: Five European leaders demand increased support for Ukraine

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, along with the Prime Ministers of Denmark, Czech Republic, Estonia, and the Netherlands — Mette Frederiksen, Petr Fiala, Estonia Kaja Kallas, and Mark Rutte — jointly penned a letter calling for collective efforts to provide long-term support to Ukraine

This letter was published by the Financial Times.

"We call on friends and partners of Ukraine to recommit to sustainable long-term military support for Ukraine as a joint European responsibility. This decision must be taken by each and every country. Only then will Ukraine be able to succeed in its defense against Russian aggression," the leaders stated in their appeal.

The heads of government from the five countries stressed that the European Union and its member states must renew their efforts and enhance military support.

They emphasized that the burden is so significant that all countries must do everything possible to support Ukraine. This should remain a collective effort.

"At the beginning of last year, the EU committed itself to an ambitious goal of supplying Ukraine with 1mn artillery rounds before the end of March 2024. The hard truth: we have fallen short of this goal," they clarified in the letter.

In their appeal, the leaders emphasized the need to "urgently" deliver ammunition and weapon systems to Kyiv, including howitzers, tanks, drones, and air defense systems. This is because new orders placed today will only reach the battlefield next year.

To this end, they insist that ways must be found to expedite the delivery of promised artillery shells to Ukraine using existing stocks or joint procurement of ammunition through European defense companies. This requires expanding industrial capacities through framework procurement contracts and sustainable investments from EU member states.

"Partner countries could play an important role as well and are invited to join in our collective effort… Our ability to continue to support and sustain Ukraine's defense, both during the winter and in the longer term, is decisive. In fact, it is a matter of our common European security, and for the brave women and men of the Ukrainian armed forces, a question of life and death," the letter stated.

The leaders of the five countries noted that Russia is not waiting for anyone, so action is needed now.

"If Ukraine loses, the long-term consequences and costs will be much higher for all of us. We Europeans have a special responsibility. Therefore, we must act. Europe's future depends on it," they urged.

Supply of ammunition to Ukraine

On May 3 last year, the EU Council approved a decision to assist Ukraine with €1 billion for joint purchases of ammunition and missiles.

The procurement plan provided for €1 billion for compensation to member states, another €1 billion for joint procurement of ammunition, and increased production capacities in the EU.

On November 14, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius acknowledged that the European Union would not be able to supply Ukraine with a million artillery shells by March 2024.

On January 11, the European Commission stated that the European Union would be able to manufacture one million ammunition for Ukraine by the end of winter 2024.

Recently, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called on European countries to increase the volume of arms supplies to Ukraine, fearing that assistance from the United States might cease.

At the same time, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba reiterated his confidence that the US Congress would approve additional funding for Ukraine despite differences between representatives of the two parties on migration issues.