PRAGUE: The prime minister of the Czech Republic on Friday revised down the number provided by the president, saying that a worldwide campaign to purchase weapons for Ukraine from outside of Europe had gathered enough money to purchase 300,000 shells.
President Petr Pavel had stated on Thursday that Ukraine would receive 800,000 shells within weeks, as 18 donor countries had committed funding. However, Prime Minister Petr Fiala clarified that the initiative had only raised enough funds for the first batch of 300,000 artillery shells.
Fiala emphasized the ongoing efforts to garner additional support, stating, “Our goal is to deliver much more! We keep seeking partners so that we can continue to support Ukraine in its brave fight against the Russian aggressor.”
Despite the European Union’s promise of one million shells by the end of March, actual deliveries have fallen short. However, Pavel revealed during a security conference in Munich last month that the Czech Republic, in collaboration with Canada and Denmark, had identified a substantial amount of weaponry for Ukraine outside of Europe, including 500,000 rounds of 155-millimeter and 300,000 122-millimeter shells.
Previous reports indicated that Prague aimed to raise $1.5 billion to cover the costs of the munitions.
Ukrainian forces have faced ammunition shortages for months as they resist Russian troops who invaded in February 2022. While Kyiv’s allies have dispatched millions of shells to Ukraine, stocks are running low. Some EU countries have been hesitant to divert military spending outside of Europe, while a proposed US aid package worth $60 billion has faced delays in Congress.
Contributors to the Czech-led initiative include Belgium, Britain, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. The Netherlands has pledged 100 million euros ($109 million), while Germany has offered a “three-digit million euro sum.”
