Zelenskyy discussed bolstering defense cooperation with Czech President in Vilnius
Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of Czechia Petr Pavel (screenshot from the video)
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with his Czech counterpart Petr Pavel in Vilnius. They discussed, among other things, the situation on the front line, strengthening defense cooperation, and signing an agreement on security guarantees, according to the Telegram channel of the head of state.
"Reported on the situation on the battlefield, Russian shelling of our energy infrastructure, and the needs of our state in the supply of energy equipment," wrote Zelenskyy.
The presidents also discussed defense support for Ukraine and strengthening cooperation in the defense industry. In addition, they discussed Ukraine's integration into the EU and NATO and the signing of a bilateral security agreement.
"Thank you for unwavering support for Ukraine!" Zelenskyy added.
Czech initiative
Currently, Russian forces are firing projectiles at a rate seven times higher than the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This is more than double the ratio at the end of January, when Kyiv warned its allies that the ratio was three to one.
At the beginning of 2024, Czech President Petr Pavel announced the availability of 800,000 munitions in non-European Union countries that had agreed to sell them. This includes 500,000 shells of 155mm caliber and 300,000 of 122mm caliber.
Countries participating in the Czech initiative for the purchase of artillery ammunition for Ukraine have signed an agreement, under which the Ukrainian Armed Forces will receive 1 million munitions.
At the same time, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal stated that Ukraine expects the first batch of artillery ammunition from the Czech initiative to be delivered as early as April.
