Czech PM announces possibility of increasing munitions procurement for Ukraine
Photo: Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala (Getty Images)
In addition to the purchase of 300,000 units of artillery ammunition for the Armed Forces of Ukraine from third countries, the Czech initiative was promised another 200,000 units on an optional basis, according to Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala.
"I consider this a great success. This is another proof that the Czech Republic is a fully active player in European security policy," he says.
The Prime Minister notes that 18 countries have joined the initiative.
Czechia found shells for Ukraine
In recent months, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have faced an acute shortage of artillery ammunition at the front. Recently, for this reason, our soldiers had to retreat from the city of Avdiivka and lost several other settlements in the Donetsk region.
In February, Czech President Petr Pavel said that his country had found 800,000 artillery rounds for Ukraine's military needs: half a million of 155 mm caliber and 300,000 of 122 mm caliber. However, funds had to be raised for their purchase.
The initiative was supported by Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Denmark, Canada, and France. In particular, on March 6, Germany provided a three-digit million-dollar sum for the purchase of ammunition. And Norway donated more than $150 million for ammunition.
The other day, Pavel said that the allies had already found almost all the necessary funds to purchase the announced batch.
Million shells from EU
At the beginning of May 2023, the Council of the EU decided on aid for Ukraine for one billion euros for the joint procurement of ammunition and missiles.
It was planned that by March 2024, European countries would provide Ukraine with the promised million shells. However, the EU countries could not fulfill the plan in time and collected only 600,000 ammunition for Ukraine.
However, the European Union is ready to produce up to 2 million artillery ammunition for Ukraine annually from 2025.
