MEPs propose to give seized weapons to Ukraine

Members of the European Parliament will press EU countries to send seized military hardware to Kyiv, according to research published today by Dutch TV program RTL Nieuws and shared with POLITICO.

MEPs want to find a practical use for 146 armored vehicles confiscated last year in two operations by the EU's IRINI naval mission within efforts to enforce a U.N. arms embargo on Libya.

Dutch liberal lawmaker Bart Groothuis is leading the effort and has asked MEPs to sign a letter, seen by Morning Defense, by the end of business on Thursday. “We call upon you to transfer the seized vehicles of the IRINI operation, and similar military equipment or ammunition from this or other EU operations, to Ukraine,” the letter reads. Signatories include France's Nathalie Loiseau — chair of the Parliament's defense subcommittee — and Belgian MEP Guy Verhofstadt, both from the Renew Europe group.

Groothuis told POLITICO he had spoken to two ambassadors who were "both very enthusiastic and said it’s very creative," but declined to disclose which EU countries were on board. EU heads of state and government will discuss further military aid to Ukraine during a Council summit in Brussels at the end of the week.

On October 27, Groothuis' letter will be sent to member states from the Council’s Political and Security Committee (PSC), which runs security policy, and the European Peace Facility Committee, which administers off-budget EU funding disbursed to Ukraine. A copy will also be sent to the commander of the naval mission. "Because it’s outside the EU, the PSC has a mandate about what should happen with [the weapons]," Groothuis explained, adding the commander will also provide input. "His advice will be important."