Ukraine ammunition supply on agenda as Czech leaders meet Jan. 7 - Reuters

On January 7, the Security Council of Czechia will review the future of the Western-funded, Czech-led program that delivers artillery shells to Ukraine.

The initiative brings together foreign donors, including Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands, as well as the Czech military and arms manufacturers.

The initiative aims to offset the imbalance of forces on the battlefield and strengthen Ukraine’s capabilities against Russian aggression.

Criticism and financial issues

Following a recent change of government, the head of the cabinet announced the possibility of reducing financial support, citing insufficient transparency in the program. However, no clear position on its future has yet been stated.

Pro-Russian allies within the new government oppose the program, while the Czech president, NATO, and Ukraine have praised the initiative. The key question at the upcoming meeting is whether the program was implemented without corruption.

Supply volumes and donor contributions

According to NATO, 1.8 million artillery shells are planned to be delivered to Ukraine from the beginning of 2025, accounting for about 43% of the total volume.

Donors have allocated around $4.5 billion, while Czechia’s contribution amounts to only tens of millions of euros.

Senior military officials have expressed cautious optimism about the continuation of the initiative despite political differences within the country.

Czechia does not plan to provide financial guarantees for Ukraine. The country’s new prime minister stated that responsibility for finding sources of support lies with the European Commission, which must determine alternative financing mechanisms.

In 2025, Czechia delivered 1.8 million rounds of large-caliber ammunition to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a fact confirmed by the former prime minister, who emphasized that previously made commitments had been fulfilled.