Over third of munitions from Czech initiative already in Ukraine - Ambassador
Photo: Ambassador of Ukraine to Czechia Vasyl Zvarych (facebook.com/ODFoundation)
More than a third of the 500,000 munitions to be delivered under the Czech initiative by the end of the year are already in Ukraine, stated Ukraine’s Ambassador to Czechia, Vasyl Zvarych.
He noted that Ukrainian forces primarily need 155-millimeter caliber ammunition.
Zvarych explained that Ukraine is negotiating with the Czech Ministry of Defense to expand the initiative. He also assured that he has no information regarding problems with the transferred ammunition, as recently reported by the German media outlet Handelsblatt.
The Ambassador suggested that this information might have been an attempt to discredit the initiative. Zvarych emphasized its effectiveness and potential for growth. He expressed hope that supplies would continue next year.
Additionally, he stated that the initiative aims to serve as an investment tool for Ukraine's domestic ammunition production.
"Ukraine has increased its capabilities, but we need certain financial resources to further develop them and to produce smaller caliber ammunition," Zvarych noted, adding that Ukraine is also discussing this issue with the Czech Ministry of Defense.
Czech initiative
It should be recalled that this year, Czechia has found a large quantity of shells for Ukraine from countries outside the European Union. However, funding from partners is required for their procurement.
Several countries have allocated funds for the purchase of ammunition. On June 25, it was reported that the first batch of shells had already arrived in Ukraine.
In July, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal stated that Ukraine received the first 50,000 shells, some of which are now at the front.
