BRUSSELS. Sept 8 (Interfax) - Questions about sending depleted uranium shells to Ukraine should be posed to the United States, Peter Stano, spokesperson for EU diplomacy chief Josep Borrell, said in reply to a journalist's question in Brussels.
"Since we are in Brussels, I will not be answering questions on behalf of our transatlantic partner about alleged weapons deliveries to Ukraine from the United States. You would need to ask the United States authorities for justifications, explanations, etc.," Stano told a briefing on Friday.
"When it comes to military supplies and military assistance of our allies, we are not talking on behalf of our allies, we are focusing on what we are doing. But again, the European Union and allies of Ukraine are responding to the needs of the Ukrainian army," he said.
Asked about the effects of using depleted uranium shells for the environment and public health, Stano said the EU was more alarmed by the situation around the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant, the deployment of Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus, and the food crisis caused by blocked Ukrainian ports.
On September 6, the Pentagon announced plans to send depleted uranium shells to Ukraine for Abrams tanks as part of its $175 million military aid package.
"This package includes additional air defense equipment, artillery munitions, anti-tank weapons, including depleted uranium rounds for previously committed Abrams tanks," the department said.
The shells have a caliber of 120mm, it said.