29/01/24 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 29 January, EEAS spokesman Peter Stano told EUROPE that the EU was following “with great attention” the announcements by the Ukrainian security services (SBU) concerning the investigation into five defence ministry officials and an arms supplier for corruption in connection with an arms purchase worth around €36.5 million. According to the SBU, a contract for 100,000 mortar shells was signed in August 2022 and payment was made, but no weapons were supplied. Mr Stano said that the EU had “no doubt” that the Ukrainian authorities would conduct an appropriate investigation. Commission spokesman Éric Mamer pointed out that European aid was also being used to ensure that the Ukrainian state was functioning normally, “including the entities fighting corruption”. (CG)