The EU has delivered artillery 223,800 shells to Ukraine under the first part of a plan to provide a million rounds to aid Kyiv's fight against Russia, a spokesman said on Friday.
This year, the 27-nation bloc pledged to step up supplies to address Kyiv's shortfalls.
Its members agreed a €2 billion ($2.2 billion) plan to use their stockpiles and place joint orders for shells, in an effort to deliver a million shells over 12 months.
Under the first stage of the plan, running between February 9 and May 31, €1 billion was earmarked to reimburse EU members roughly half the cost of shells provided from their arsenals.
“Member states have delivered around 223,800 artillery ammunition – long-range self-propelled, precision-guided ammunitions as well as mortar ammunitions – and 2,300 missiles of all types,” EU spokesman Peter Stano said.
Overall, the total value of the ordnance provided was €1.1 billion, the EU said. EU funds reimbursed only part of that, suggesting the measure fell short of the target.
Friday's new figure for artillery ammunition sent was a small advance on the number – 220,000 shells – announced by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in late May.
EU countries had until July 15 to declare their deliveries.
This leaves the bloc and its members a long way off their target of one million shells by next spring.
In February, several EU capitals were already sceptical about the goal, fearing they would fall short.
Under the second part of the plan, the EU's defence agency is negotiating joint procurement contracts with European manufacturers for 155-mm howitzer shells and missiles.
“The agency expects framework contracts with industry to be signed in the coming weeks, allowing member states to place orders from then on,” the EU said.
Any contracts need to be concluded by the end of September to fall under the EU supply plan.
In total, the EU and its member states say they have spent about €20 billion supplying weaponry of all kinds to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022.
As of July 25, the US had committed more than $43.7 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, according to the Pentagon.
On Thursday, the White House asked the US Congress for another $13 billion in military spending for Ukraine.
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
Closing the loophole on sugary drinks
As The National reported last year, non-fizzy sugared drinks were not covered when the original tax was introduced in 2017. Sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, 20 grams of sugar per 500ml bottle.
The non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.
Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.
Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
Not taxed:
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
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Company Profile
Company name: Big Farm Brothers
Started: September 2020
Founders: Vishal Mahajan and Navneet Kaur
Based: Dubai Investment Park 1
Industry: food and agriculture
Initial investment: $205,000
Current staff: eight to 10
Future plan: to expand to other GCC markets
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
