Delivery of military materiel to the Ukrainian armed forces

Subject: Delivery of military materiel to the Ukrainian armed forces

Member States, the EU and international partners have sent military materiel to aid the Ukrainian armed forces in their defence against Russian aggression.

On 28 February the Council adopted a support package of EUR 450 million from the European Peace Facility for military equipment and platforms1 designed to deliver lethal force, and a EUR 50 million package to finance supplies such as fuel, protective equipment and emergency medical items2. On 11 March the Member States agreed to an increased use of the European Peace Facility following a proposal3 to double its support with an additional EUR 500 million to ‘answer to the needs of the defenders of Ukrainian people and territory’45.

The White House approved a fast-tracked USD 350 million military aid package on 26 February. By 4 March it announced that about USD 240 million worth of the package had made it to Ukraine, including the most-needed capabilities, like anti-armour capabilities67.

Without disclosing information that might endanger deliveries of arms to Ukraine, can the Vice- President / High Representative, who is responsible for ensuring the implementation:

1. confirm that military materiel financed by the European Peace Facility has reached the Ukrainian armed forces and that it is a matter of priority to ensure that this happens?

2. provide details or an estimate of how much or what share of the EUR 450 million lethal aid package has reached Ukrainian defenders?

1 Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/338 of 28 February 2022 on an assistance measure under the European

Peace Facility for the supply to the Ukrainian Armed Forces of military equipment, and platforms, designed to deliver lethal force, OJ L 60, 28.2.2022, p. 1.

2 Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/339 of 28 February 2022 on an assistance measure under the European

Peace Facility to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces, OJ L 61, 28.2.2022, p. 1. 3 https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/112648/informal-eu-leaders%E2%80%99-

meeting-versailles-remarks-high-representativevice-president-josep_en 4 https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/112682/russiaukraine-statement-high-

representativevice-president-josep-borrell-fourth-package_en

5 On 2 December 2021 the Council adopted an assistance measure of EUR 31 million for non-lethal assistance

to Ukraine. See Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/2135 of 2 December 2021 on an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces, OJ L 432, 3.12.2021, p. 59. 6 By 14 March the Pentagon stated that the delivery of the supplies from that package was almost

complete, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/06/us/politics/us-ukraine-weapons.html 7 The process ‘was fast-tracked after it was categorised as “a presidential drawdown”, a label that allows it to

forego congressional notification’, https://thehill.com/policy/defense/596935-pentagon-vast-majority-of-350m- in-lethal-aid-to-ukraine-has-been-delivered

Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Borrell i Fontelles on behalf of the European Commission (5 May 2022)

1. Military assistance to Ukraine is a top priority. Building on the political declaration of EU leaders announced in Versailles and with the adoption of an additional EUR 500 million of military assistance to Ukraine, the EU total support to the Ukrainian armed forces under the European Peace Facility (EPF) has reached EUR 1 billion. Implementation is ongoing at fast pace. A coordination mechanism has been established within the EU Military Staff (EUMS Clearing House Cell) to ensure that military equipment offered by EU Member States are matched against a list of priorities communicated and regularly updated by the Ukrainian side. A number of EU Member States, who are responsible for the delivery of equipment to Ukraine via designated hubs or directly, have confirmed successful shipment of their assistance to the Ukrainian authorities.

The High Representative/Vice-President proposed an additional amount of EUR 500 million (EUR 450 million for the lethal military assistance under the EPF and EUR 50 million — non-lethal) in support of the Ukrainian armed forces.

2. A number of EU Member States who have delivered equipment to Ukraine have sent their requests for reimbursement through the EPF. The EUMS assesses the requests and issues recommendations to the EPF committee for their consideration.

This reply reflects the situation as of 11 April 2022.

⋅1∙ Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/338 of 28 February 2022 on an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility for the supply to the Ukrainian Armed Forces of

military equipment, and platforms, designed to deliver lethal force, OJ L 60, 28.2.2022, p. 1. ⋅2∙ Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/339 of 28 February 2022 on an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces,

OJ L 61, 28.2.2022, p. 1.

⋅3∙ https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/112648/informal-eu-leaders%E2%80%99-meeting-versailles-remarks-high-representativevice-

president-josep_en

⋅4∙ https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/112682/russiaukraine-statement-high-representativevice-president-josep-borrell-fourth-package_en

⋅5∙ On 2 December 2021 the Council adopted an assistance measure of EUR 31 million for non-lethal assistance to Ukraine. See Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/2135 of

2 December 2021 on an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces, OJ L 432, 3.12.2021, p. 59. ⋅6∙ By 14 March the Pentagon stated that the delivery of the supplies from that package was almost

complete, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/06/us/politics/us-ukraine-weapons.html ⋅7∙ The process ‘was fast-tracked after it was categorised as “a presidential drawdown”, a label that allows it to forego congressional notification’,

https://thehill.com/policy/defense/596935-pentagon-vast-majority-of-350m-in-lethal-aid-to-ukraine-has-been-delivered