The European Union will not meet its original goal of providing Ukraine with one million artillery shells and missiles by March of next year.

On Tuesday, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius revealed this information at a meeting of EU defense ministers in Brussels, Belgium.

Pistorius was the first senior EU official to openly admit that the goal would not be achieved, despite private doubts expressed by many for several months.

In March, a promise was made in light of Ukraine’s request for artillery shells due to their ongoing conflict with Russian invading forces. This pledge was one part of a larger plan to increase ammunition resources for Ukraine. The initial step involved EU countries contributing from their own reserves.

The next step includes EU nations purchasing new shells from the industry through a collaborative procurement program.

Pistorius stated that the European Union is collaborating with gun makers to increase the manufacturing of guns and bullets for Ukraine.

The confirmation was made only 48 hours following the announcement from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s administration that they have tentatively decided to increase their military support for Ukraine to approximately $8.5 billion in 2022, according to a political insider in Berlin on Sunday.

The source stated that if parliament approves, Germany’s defense spending would increase to 2.1% of its gross domestic product target, surpassing the 2% commitment made by all NATO members. This boost would be possible due to the majority held by Scholz’s parties in parliament.

Germany has suggested providing long-term military assistance to Ukraine in the form of $5 billion per year for four years. However, other European Union nations, including Germany, have expressed concerns about such a commitment and its implications for Western security.

During his nightly video address on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy cautioned the country to prepare for further Russian assaults on Ukraine’s infrastructure as the winter season draws near.