Five European countries supply lethal weapons to Ukraine
Five Eastern European countries are currently supplying lethal weapons to Ukraine, as stated by Pavlo Barbul, the director of the state-owned enterprise SpetsTechnoExport, which specializes in the trade in military technologies.
“In particular, [the automatic grenade launchers] VOG-17 and VOG-25, ammunition for grenade launchers, some artillery ammunition – 100-mm and 152-mm – that’s what’s top priority. I will not name the countries, quantities or prices, but yes, we do import those", said Barbul in an interview with Radio Liberty.
He also noted that significant restrictions remain on foreign markets regarding the sale of lethal weapons to Ukraine.
"The supply of lethal weapons to a warring country is subject to limitations. We have a situation where some companies have been unable to obtain licenses to supply such weapons for two years," said Barbul.
He also confirmed that Ukraine has already received lethal weapons from the US this year; particularly an installment of PSRL-1 grenade launchers, which are a profound modernization of the Soviet RPG-7.
On December 23, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson confirmed the US’ decision to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons. He called this step, in tandem with the strengthening of sanctions against Russia, a worthy response to the continued occupation of Ukrainian territory.
On December 20, The Washington Post reported that the Trump Administration had approved the sale of lethal weapons valued at $41.5 million to Ukraine. The newspaper wrote that Ukraine will be provided with self-loading large-caliber M107A1 sniper rifles, ammunition, and related details and accessories.
A few days later, the US media reported that the total cost of the defense package would be $47 million. The package will include 210 anti-tank missiles and 35 Javelin launchers.