In European Parliament, Proposal to Transfer Nearly 150 Armored Vehicles Confiscated by EU En Route to Libya to Ukraine

In the European Parliament, there is a proposal to transfer nearly 150 armored vehicles, which were confiscated by the EU on their way to Libya, to Ukraine.

Bart Grotjus, a European Parliament member from the Netherlands, has put forth a suggestion to transfer numerous armored vehicles to Ukraine, which were confiscated during illegal attempts to transport them to Libya. Some of these vehicles were aboard the Dutch cargo ship MV Meerdijk and were discovered while the vessel was near the shores of South Africa, en route to Libya, according to RTL Nieuws.

These armored vehicles were confiscated at the beginning of the previous year as part of the EU mission known as IRINI, aimed at preventing violations of the UN embargo on arms supplies to Libya. Specifically, the MV Meerdijk was carrying 41 armored utility vehicles of the BATT UMG type, manufactured in the United Arab Emirates, bound for Benghazi, Libya, controlled by the forces of General Khalifa Haftar, which lack international recognition.

The seized cargo was impounded and transported for storage to a facility near Marseille, France. In total, there are at least 146 military transport vehicles stored there, intended for delivery to Libya in violation of UN sanctions.

Parliamentarian Bart Grotjus believes that the European Union should transfer this armored equipment to Ukraine. His initiative is supported by several influential members of the European Parliament.

"Confiscated vehicles represent a significant opportunity for the IRINI mission, and it is fair and necessary for us to transfer this equipment to Ukraine as soon as possible. The conflict in Ukraine is turning into a war of attrition, and transferring nearly 150 vehicles will send a strong signal to Russia that Europe is determined to see this through," said the MEP.

A spokesperson for the IRINI mission confirmed that the legal transfer of the confiscated vehicles to Ukraine is possible, with the final decision resting with the European Council.

It's worth noting that a few days ago, the Bundestag announced the provision of a new package of military assistance to Ukraine, which includes three additional Gepard anti-aircraft systems to protect Ukrainian skies from Russian attacks during the winter period.

In addition to bolstering air defense, the aid will include equipment and technology, such as the Beaver bridge layer, 20 RQ-35 HEIDRUN drones, 20 VECTOR drones, 13 armored vehicles for border guards, and three MAN HX8 trucks. Germany will also supply Ukraine with 3872 illumination and smoke shells for 155mm artillery systems.