Factbox: EU breaks “taboo” to collectively finance Ukraine weapons deliveries

Excessive Consultant of the European Union for International Affairs and Safety Coverage Josep Borrell rings a bell on the EU International Ministers assembly addressing the scenario in Ukraine, after Russia launched an enormous army operation, in Brussels, Belgium, February 25, 2022. REUTERS/Johanna Geron

BRUSSELS, Feb 28 (Reuters) – The European Union has damaged a “taboo” by agreeing for the primary time to collectively finance weapons deliveries to a 3rd nation to assist Ukraine fend off the Russian invasion, EU International Coverage Chief Josep Borrell has mentioned.

European defence ministers met through video-conference on Monday to coordinate the deliveries of the arms, which started to reach in Ukraine over the weekend.

* The EU will use a particular fund, arrange in March 2021, referred to as the European Peace Facility (EPF) to pay for the arms. The Facility has a complete of 5 billion euros ($5.59 billion) to be offered straight by EU international locations proportionate to the scale of their gross nationwide earnings till 2027. It sits outdoors the EU price range.

* The EU will present 450 million euros for weapons for Ukraine and 50 million euros for non-lethal gear from the EPF.

* The EPF changed the sooner “Athena mechanism” and the African Peace Facility that the EU had, broadening the scope of assist the EU can present globally. It permits the EU to offer army gear and coaching.

* Within the non-lethal class, the EU expects to pay for gasoline, ballistic helmets, private protecting gear and first support kits. Within the deadly weapons class it expects ammunition, munitions, air defence programs and anti-tank programs.

EU international locations have pledged or offered the next to date:

* Germany – 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles

* Luxembourg – 100 NLAW anti-tank weapons, jeeps and 15 army tents in addition to air transport capability

* Belgium – 2,000 machine weapons, 3,800 tons of gasoline

* Netherlands – 200 Stinger missiles

* Poland – 100 mortars, 8 drones, Javelin anti-tank weapons, Grot assault rifles, munitions

* Slovakia – 12,000 items of artillery ammunition (120mm), 10 million litres of gasoline, 2.4 million litres of aviation gasoline and a pair of Bozena de-mining programs

* Estonia – Javelin anti-tank weapons (quantity not disclosed)

* Latvia – Stinger floor to air missiles (quantity not disclosed)

* Czech Republic – machine weapons, assault rifles, different mild weapons and ammunition price 188 million crowns ($8.57 million)

($1 = 0.8943 euros)

Reporting by Jan Strupczewski; Enhancing by John Chalmers and Jan Harvey

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