First batches of shells under Czech initiative about to arrive in Ukraine

The Czech Republic believes that this year, it will be able to purchase and transfer a significant number of shells. In particular, the first batches of artillery ammunition purchased as part of the Czech initiative are already arriving in Ukraine.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Jan Lipavsky, stated this in an interview with Radio Svoboda.

"Frankly speaking, the first batches of ammunition are arriving in Ukraine these days. So this year, we will be able to purchase and continuously supply a significant amount of ammunition," the head of the Czech diplomatic service emphasized.

Lipavsky added that, in general, the Czech Republic has transferred more than a million shells to Ukraine through various channels.

According to the ministry of foreign affairs head, 20 countries have already pledged to participate in the initiative to purchase artillery ammunition for the Ukrainian army. Five states have sent funds, which makes it possible to conclude contracts. Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Portugal, and Canada sent the money. These agreements are already being implemented.

"We need to move from promises and sympathy to an agreement that will be signed and funded, which is a bit of a challenge today, as you probably have in mind.

So I hope that we will move towards that. We know that Ukraine needs a lot of large-caliber ammunition, and we have a great opportunity. Therefore, we hope to conclude more such agreements," Lipavsky added.

What is known about the supply of ammunition to Ukraine

According to the Ministry of Strategic Industries, Ukraine needs such an amount of artillery ammunition that no country, even the United States, is able to provide. The state is developing more economically effective methods of maintaining the front. However, there are currently several initiatives to provide shells from Ukraine's international partners.

Under plans drawn up in early 2023, the EU pledged to provide Ukraine with one million artillery shells within 12 months. However, the implementation of the initiative faced problems. According to Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, the "deplorable state of the defense industry" of the EU is among the reasons.

In turn, Czech President Petr Pavel said at the Munich Security Conference on February 17 that his country had identified 500,000 155 mm and 300,000 122 mm rounds that could be delivered within weeks if the money was available.

In total, 15 countries support the purchase of ammunition for Ukraine outside of Europe.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Jan Lipavsky, stated that 1.5 million shells could be supplied within the initiative's framework for procuring artillery ammunition for Ukraine.

According to the latest statements, Ukraine will receive 500,000 projectiles under the Czech initiative by the end of the year. However, Tomasz Kopechny, the Government Commissioner of the Czech Republic for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, emphasized that the final number of shells delivered under this initiative may change and potentially increase to 1.5 million rounds or even more.

As Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala announced on May 28, the first batch of artillery shells within the framework of the Czech initiative will arrive in Ukraine "in the next few days."