The signing of long-term contracts with defence companies by EU governments, the removal of all administrative obstacles to the interaction of defence production and the redirection of European arms exports from third countries to Ukraine can significantly increase the number of shells at the front and equalize the artillery balance with Russia.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said this during talks in Kyiv with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.

"I think it is unnecessary to say that Josep is our great friend, who is making extraordinary efforts to unite European diplomacy in support of Ukraine. He started this morning just like millions of Ukrainians, in a bomb shelter during the massive Russian shelling," the Minister said.

Dmytro Kuleba expressed his gratitude to the European side for involving Ukraine in the development of a strategy for the European defence industry, as recently announced by the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. According to him, the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine has already conveyed the relevant vision to the European side.

The Ukrainian Foreign Minister expressed his gratitude to Josep Borrell for his work on strengthening military support for Ukraine and stressed three urgent steps that Ukraine expects from the EU to increase the supply of artillery shells to Ukraine for the needs of the frontline and our soldiers.

Firstly, Ukraine calls on EU governments to sign long-term contracts with defence companies to help build up production capacity. Long-term contracts mean companies' confidence and investment in production. This will significantly speed up the supply of shells to Ukraine. The European Defence Agency is signing the relevant contracts and developing the legal framework. Ukraine is counting on them to work quickly.

Second, all regulatory barriers to the interaction between European defence companies and industries as well as between European and Ukrainian companies, must be removed in order to avoid administrative or legal obstacles to increase production. 

Third, European companies and governments should be encouraged to negotiate with third countries to restructure and reorient existing contracts for the supply of shells from these countries to Ukraine, as well as to increase imports of ammunition from third countries to Europe.

"If we act comprehensively in all three areas, the increase in the number of artillery shells at the front will be tangible. All this is within reach. At the meetings of the High Representative in Kyiv, with the President of Ukraine, the Government representatives, including me, the issue of increasing the supply of shells was among the key ones," the Minister said.

Dmytro Kuleba expressed his belief that it is quite possible to reach an agreement and redirect shells from third countries to Ukraine. He expressed his gratitude to Josep Borrell, who started speaking up about this possibility.

"We need to enter into negotiations with those countries that have contracted the shells in Europe and tell them: 'Excuse me, we are in the middle of the biggest war in Europe since the Second World War, we need these shells to protect Europe,'" he said. 

The minister recalled that at the beginning of the full-scale war, there were examples when some countries said to manufacturers: "We have ordered this from you, but we will wait, give it to Ukraine now." 

"There are still a lot of artillery shells in the world. And we need to triple our efforts to bring shells to Europe from third-country warehouses. Because we are talking about defending Europe today, and we need extraordinary measures. 

Can we equalise the artillery balance with Russia? We definitely can. If comprehensive efforts are made.

I want every Ukrainian soldier to know that every day in Brussels, Kyiv and other capitals, the only work being done is how to deliver more shells to Ukraine, to the Ukrainian soldier," Dmytro Kuleba said.

The Foreign Minister noted that one of the priority topics of the talks was also the strengthening of Ukraine's air defence. The Ukrainian side is also looking forward to the establishment of the Ukraine Support Fund.

The Minister also expressed gratitude to the EU for the historic decisions of recent months to start accession negotiations and allocate €50 billion in financial support. 

"We are grateful to the EU for the brilliant examples of global leadership. These were signals not only to Europe, Ukraine, Russia, but also to the whole world about the power of decisions that the EU can make for the sake of Europe’s security and prosperity," he said.

The Foreign Minister once again stressed the need to ban the sale of goods used by the aggressor in the production of missiles and drones: "The EU has already taken some steps, and we welcome them, but we need to move on. Every effort should be made to ensure that Russia produces fewer missiles and drones."

Dmytro Kuleba also noted the positive dynamics in the confiscation of frozen Russian assets: "I welcome the EU's decisions that pave the way for the use of asset proceeds for Ukraine's needs. At the same time, I emphasize that Ukraine's position remains unchanged: we need to find a legal mechanism for the confiscation of the assets themselves. The aggressor must pay the full price." 

In conclusion, the Foreign Minister expressed gratitude to the EU for its active role in promoting President Zelenskyy's Peace Formula, including active work with countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, and personally to Josep Borrell for promoting this initiative in the Spanish-speaking world.