EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell urged European Union member states to do more to deliver ammunition to Ukraine, which is facing an outnumbered rival in its war with Russia.

“The Ukrainian soldiers are determined to fight, but they need ammunition. Urgently and in huge quantities,” stressed Mr. Borrell in his letter dated Wednesday, February 21.

“Delays in ammunition deliveries cost lives and weaken Ukraine’s defense capabilities,” he continued.

The EU promised last year to deliver 1 million shells to Ukraine.

But its member states are expected to reach only a little more than half of this target within the deadline they had set, ie until next month.

According to Mr. Borel, the EU is expected to increase deliveries and reach 1.5 million shells within the year, but “Ukraine needs more ammunition,” he insisted.

“I therefore feel it is my duty and responsibility to call you once again to see what more we can do to support Ukraine,” the High Representative added.

According to Mr Borrell, member states could draw more “from the stocks” they have, place more orders with European industries, buy ammunition where available and finance Ukrainian industry.

“What is needed is immediate financial liquidity. Doing nothing is not an option,” he noted.

As Saturday marks the second anniversary of Russia’s large-scale offensive, Ukraine is in an “extremely difficult” situation on the front lines, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged on Monday.

The Russian military announced on Thursday that it had captured the village of Pombeda in eastern Ukraine, advancing further, some 24 hours after capturing the fortress town of Avdiyivka after months of fierce fighting, as the Ukrainian army faces material shortages due to a freeze on US aid from Republican opponents of Democratic US President Joe Biden in Congress.