France will be delivering 78 Caesar howitzers to Ukraine and increasing its supply of shells to help fight against Russia’s two-year invasion. This decision was made in cooperation with Ukraine and Denmark to finance the self-propelled 155 mm howitzers. The goal is to deliver 80,000 shells for 155 mm guns to Ukraine this year, a significant increase from the 30,000 shells delivered since the start of the war in February 2022. France is also working with other countries to identify available stocks of powder and ammunition that could be purchased to further support Ukraine.
Additionally, the Czech Republic has initiated a plan to obtain 800,000 artillery shells for Ukraine, with the aim of delivering the first batch by June. This initiative has already attracted the participation of at least 18 countries, showing a collective effort to provide assistance to Ukraine. Recently, Germany, France, and Poland have also pledged to procure more weapons for Kyiv and increase the production of military equipment to address the shortage of resources. This shared commitment demonstrates the solidarity of European powers in supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
During a news conference, Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu emphasized the importance for European countries to reduce their reliance on the United States for security and defense. Lecornu highlighted the need for Europeans to take greater responsibility for their security, especially in light of potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy. Concerns have been raised in Europe regarding the possible weakening of the NATO alliance under a return of Donald Trump to the White House or if President Joe Biden retains power, as the U.S. focuses more on Asia and less on Europe.
Lecornu believes that European security should now be a priority for European nations and not solely dependent on U.S. support. He anticipates that this issue will be a focus of discussion in the upcoming European elections. The delay in U.S. efforts to secure new funds for arming Ukraine has added urgency to the need for European countries to bolster their own military capabilities and support Ukraine in its efforts to defend against Russian aggression. The collective response from European countries reflects a growing determination to enhance security measures within the region as global dynamics continue to evolve.
