EU closer to joint arms-buying to aid Ukraine but hurdles remain

FILE PHOTO: Ammunition for a howitzer is seen during training at a German army base on a NATO media day, in which up to 7,500 soldiers from 9 nations take part, in Munster, Germany, May 10, 2022. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer/File Photo

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union is edging closer to a landmark move into joint procurement of ammunition to help Ukraine and replenish members' stockpiles but major questions regarding funding and scale remain to be resolved.

EU defence ministers will this week discuss plans to speed up the supply of 155 millimetre ammunition to Ukraine, which is pleading for more such artillery shells to fight Russia's invasion, and to order more munitions together.