President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi told compatriots on Monday night that European partners agreed on a joint plan to supply ammunition for Ukrainian artillery worth 2 billion euros, and the United States decided on new military aid worth 350 million dollars, including missiles for the HIMARS System.

“Today we have several important decisions, primarily defensive ones. Our European partners agreed on a joint plan to accelerate the supply of shells for our artillery. This solution costs 2 billion euros. It provides both immediate delivery and production of ammunition,” Volodymyr Zelenskyi began his video message on Monday evening, in which he presented the results of the day, News.ro reports.

“This is a strategic step. This gives us confidence in our unity, in our victory over the terrorist state,” the President of Ukraine emphasized, expressing gratitude to European partners.

“A new defense package from the United States was also announced today. Its value is 350 million dollars. These are HIMARS missiles, artillery and other ammunition – everything that is really necessary to support our soldiers. I thank President Biden, Congress, and all Americans!” Zelensky said.

European Union countries agreed on Monday to a €2 billion plan to send 1 million artillery shells to Ukraine by next year, using their own stockpiles and joining forces to buy more ammunition. The plan approved by the ministers was based on a proposal by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borel to spend 1 billion euros on shells from its own stocks to soon send additional supplies to Kyiv, and another 1 billion euros on joint purchases. Joint procurement will be limited to companies from the EU and from Norway, which has close economic ties with the EU bloc. The new joint procurement effort will be led by the EU’s European Defense Agency, which said the joint approach was “the best option to achieve cost reductions”.

In recent weeks, Ukrainian and Western leaders have warned that Kyiv is using up shells faster than its allies can supply them, prompting a new push to send supplies and find ways to speed up production.

Regarding the new aid of the United States, in the amount of 350 million dollars for Ukraine, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on Monday. “This military aid package includes more ammunition for the US-supplied HIMARS systems and howitzers that Ukraine uses for self-defense, as well as ammunition for Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, HARM missiles, anti-tank weapons, boats and other equipment,” Blinken said. detailed in the application.

The United States has so far supplied Ukraine with more than $30 billion worth of weapons to defend itself against Russia.

Kyiv is trying to collect enough weapons from its Western sponsors to launch a counteroffensive and try to retake territory captured by the Russians last year.

Zelensky talked with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands and the Chancellor of Austria

Zelenskyi also informed his compatriots on Monday evening that he also discussed “defense issues, very practical measures that will contribute to the implementation of the Ukrainian peace formula” with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. This formula is focused on achieving the withdrawal of Russian troops from all occupied territories. “I informed him about the situation on the front line, about our main needs and opportunities,” Volodymyr Zelenskyi said. “I thank the Prime Minister for his complete understanding of the situation and for his unshakable belief that the power of European values ​​is stronger than Russia’s hatred of European freedom,” said the Ukrainian leader.

Volodymyr Zelenskyi also announced that on Monday he spoke with the head of the Austrian government, Chancellor Karl Nehammer about humanitarian and political issues within the framework of bilateral cooperation. “We also discussed our joint opportunities to restore justice violated by Russian aggression. I thanked Austria for joining the group that is preparing the creation of a special court regarding Russia’s aggression against our country,” said the President of Ukraine.

“The circle of partners who are ready to jointly punish Russia for its aggression is inevitably expanding. This makes the prospect of punishment more and more realistic,” Zelenskyy said, noting that Ireland is also among these partners, and thanked the Prime Minister of Ireland, with whom he also had a telephone conversation on Monday.

“It is not enough to prosecute the perpetrators of crimes caused by aggression. It is also necessary to absolutely justly and legally punish the original crime that gave rise to all other crimes of this war. This will be ensured by a special tribunal. Every day we are getting closer to its creation,” Zelenskyy emphasized.

On the other hand, Ireland and Austria could offer the treatment and rehabilitation of Ukrainian soldiers wounded at the front, Zelenskyi said, noting that he had discussed this topic with the prime ministers of the two countries.

Finally, as every evening, the President of Ukraine recognized several units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine fighting at the front, praised the fighters and thanked them for their results.

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