Ammunition from Czech initiative reaches Ukraine

5 months ago 16

The first delivery of artillery ammunition purchased from non-EU countries through a so-called Czech initiative has successfully arrived in Ukraine, said Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala.

Czechia introduced the proposal to purchase artillery ammunition for Ukraine from non-EU countries during the European Council summit in February this year. Acting as a mediator, Czechia connects various countries with suppliers of military equipment from across the world.

“The first shipment of ammunition from our initiative arrived in Ukraine some time ago. We are doing what it takes,” Fiala (ODS, ECR) said on X Tuesday.

At the end of May, the Czech Defence Minister Jana Černochová revealed that 18 countries had signed memorandums with Czechia, expressing intention to provide financing for the ammunition purchase. These include Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Norway, as well as non-European allies such as Canada.

According to Czech government officials, more shipments are scheduled for July and by the end of the year, Ukraine is expected to receive about half a million rounds of ammunition.

The government has opted not to disclose specific details about the origin of the ammunition, though Černochová explained that the supplying countries maintain a policy of “all azimuths,” preferring not to align themselves with any side of the Russian war against Ukraine – a discretion that aims to protect the suppliers’ political neutrality.

However, the opposition has criticised the Czech government for its lack of transparency regarding the financial contributions of Czechia to the initiative. There have also been concerns raised about the quality of the ammunition provided.

Černochová expressed hope that the ammunition deliveries would make a tangible impact on the battlefield.

“We will do everything possible to ensure this happens. However, the ammunition will be in the hands of Ukrainians, and it will ultimately depend on their tactics and military strategies,” she said in her recent interview for the Czech News Agency.

(Aneta Zachová | Euractiv.cz)