The European Union, in parallel with providing assistance to Ukraine, seeks to influence the Russian Federation with sanctions and expects to adopt the 13th package by February 24, said Foreign Minister of Belgium, chairing the EU Council, Hadja Lahbib.

"We hope to complete work on the 13th package of sanctions by the symbolic date of February 24," she said at a session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, where the issue of EU assistance to Ukraine was discussed on Tuesday.

Speaking about military assistance to Kyiv, Lahbib pointed to the need to accelerate the supply of ammunition and missiles in order to keep the promise and provide Ukraine with a million 155-millimeter shells.

"Currently, we are very far from this. In March, according to forecasts, we will be able to reach a volume of about 524,000 shells. This is very far from the goal we have set. It is absolutely necessary for us to do more and strengthen our production capacities," the Belgian Foreign Minister said.