Top EU Diplomat Says Russia Will Win Ukraine War Unless EU Rushes More Arms to Kyiv

The European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell speaks during a Joint ministerial meeting of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Central American Integration System (SICA), in Panama City on May 3, 2022. STR/AFP via Getty Images

The EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell warned that Ukraine is in a “critical situation” in its invasion by Russian forces and Kyiv desperately needs ammunition “in a matter of weeks” or the war could reach a devastating end.

“Much more has to be done and much quicker. There is still a lot to be done. We have to increase and accelerate our military support to Ukraine,” Borrell said at the Munich Security Conference on Feb. 19.

“It takes almost ten months for a European army to buy bullets for a canon of 155 mn. Almost one year. And almost three years to buy an air-to-air missile. This is not in accordance with the war situation in which we live today.”

Earlier on Sunday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken had warned that China is considering providing “lethal” military support to Russia to help with its efforts in Ukraine, including ammunition and weapons.

Blinken said that the U.S. government has been monitoring the situation closely and that, based on the information it has, is growing increasingly concerned that Beijing is “considering providing lethal support” which he said “would cause a serious problem for us and in our relationship,” referring to Washington’s relations with China.

‘Ukraine Has to Prevail’

China has denied the accusations.

Borrell said on Sunday that Russia “cannot win this war” and that “Ukraine has to prevail” but stressed that in order for this to happen, EU nations need to accelerate their military support to Ukraine which he said was “in a critical situation from the point of view of available ammunition.”

The EU foreign affairs chief added that decisions regarding supplying more ammunition at a faster pace to Ukraine will be made by the EU Ministers of Defence in an upcoming meeting on March 7 to 8.

He also noted that since the beginning of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the EU and its member states have provided €12 billion ($12.8 billion) in military aid to Ukraine, including €3.6 billion ($3.8 billion) under the EU’s own off-budget fund, known as the European Peace Facility.

“I think we can say that we have been taking too much time to take critical decisions for providing battle tanks. And this, when everybody knows that to win a war, a classical war, with tranches, and heavy arms, you need battle tanks, you will not win this war without this kind of arms,” he continued. “And now, this shortage of ammunition needs to be solved quickly. It’s a matter of weeks.”

Biden Visits Ukraine

Ukraine has been calling on EU leaders to provide Kyiv with more ammunition in recent weeks amid a new Russian offensive as part of the Kremlin’s effort to capture Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.

Russia reportedly amassed hundreds of thousands of troops ahead of the renewed assault as the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion looms.

Amid Ukraine’s calls for more ammunition, President Joe Biden on Monday made an unexpected visit to Kyiv to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy where he reiterated his pledge to provide continued support to Ukraine.

During his visit, Biden announced an additional half-billion dollars in aid to Kyiv, on top of the more than $50 billion already provided by the United States, including howitzer shells, anti-tank missiles, and air surveillance radars.

However, there was no mention of the new advanced weaponry that Zelenskyy has been seeking.

“I thought it was critical that there not be any doubt, none whatsoever, about U.S. support for Ukraine in the war,” Biden said during Monday’s surprise visit, adding that “freedom is priceless” and “worth fighting for, for as long as it takes.”

“And that’s how long we’re going to be with you, Mr. President, for as long as it takes,” Biden promised.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.