'Needed immediately'. Finland calls on partners to find money for Ukraine
Antti Häkkänen, Minister of Defense of Finland (photo: Getty Images)
Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen called on Western partners to increase support for Ukraine in the war against Russia. In particular, to find funds for the purchase of shells for the Ukrainian army.
Recently, the Czech Republic announced that they had found 800,000 shells for Ukraine abroad, but needed funds to purchase them. In total, they need 1.3 billion euros. Therefore, Prague has asked for help from other EU and NATO countries.
"Funds to support weapons in Ukraine are needed immediately," the Finnish minister emphasized.
At the same time, Häkkänen emphasized the importance of increasing the EU's own arms production, noting that there have already been some successes in this direction. In particular, the EU countries planned to supply Ukraine with more than 1 million shells this year.
"European countries were able to increase their own production, and they are close to achieving the goal," he added.
Czech initiative on shells
The Czech Republic has found 800,000 artillery shells of 155 and 122-millimeter caliber for Ukraine. In the coming weeks, they may be sent to the Ukrainian army, but funds are needed to purchase and supply them.
Recently, the Netherlands announced that it has allocated more than 100 million euros to Ukraine for the Czech initiative. Belgium has allocated 200 million euros.
