Czech President announces timeline for transfer of 800,000 shells to Ukraine
Czech President Petr Pavel (photo: Getty Images)
President of Czechia, Petr Pavel, stated that the 800,000 artillery shells purchased in third countries could be delivered to Ukraine within a few weeks, according to Bild.
"If there are no fundamental problems, the ammunition could arrive in Ukraine within a few weeks," said the former NATO general.
The Bild notes that in this way, the Czech leader has done what the European Union could not achieve, as countries in the EU have only supplied a fraction of the promised million artillery shells.
The countries from which the ammunition is coming are not specified. The media suggest that these are countries that have remained neutral in the war or have not openly opposed Russia: South Korea, South Africa, and Turkiye.
Czechia found shells for Ukraine
In recent months, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have faced a severe shortage of artillery ammunition on the front lines. Recently, due to this shortage, our soldiers had to retreat from the city of Avdiivka and also lost several other settlements in the Donetsk region.
In February, Czech President Petr Pavel announced that his country had found 800,000 artillery shells for Ukraine's military needs: half a million of caliber 155 mm and 300,000 of caliber 122 mm. However, funds needed 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 allocated a three-figure million sum for the purchase of ammunition. Norway provided over $150 million for ammunition.
Recently, Pavel stated that allies have already found almost all the necessary funds for the purchase of the announced batch.
One million shells from the EU
In early May 2023, the EU Council approved a decision to provide Ukraine with one billion euros for joint purchases of ammunition and missiles.
It was planned that by March 2024, European countries would provide Ukraine with a million shells. However, EU countries were unable to meet the plan on time and only collected 600,000 rounds for Ukraine.
Instead, the European Union is ready to produce up to 2 million artillery shells annually for Ukraine starting in 2025.
