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.
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
The years Ramadan fell in May
Racecard
7pm: Abu Dhabi - Conditions (PA) Dh 80,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.30pm: Dubai - Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,400m
8pm: Sharjah - Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,600m
8.30pm: Ajman - Handicap (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 2,200m
9pm: Umm Al Quwain - The Entisar - Listed (TB) Dh132,500 (D) 2,000m
9.30pm: Ras Al Khaimah - Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m
10pm: Fujairah - Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,200m
