Ukraine to receive first shipment of Czech-contracted ammunition in coming weeks — Prague
Ukraine is set to receive the first batch of ammunition under the Czech-led initiative to purchase artillery shells from outside EU, Czechia’s director for Defense Policy and Strategy, Jan Jires, told Bloomberg on March 1.
Read also: France, Greece, Cyprus block plans to buy artillery shells outside EU – German MP
Jires announced the upcoming delivery without specifying which countries would finance the procurement or from whose inventories the munitions would be sourced.
However, Belgium, Canada, and the Netherlands previously stated their willingness to help fund the program.
“We are working with these countries to ensure that more [weapon] systems are delivered to Ukraine,” Dutch PM Mark Rutte said during a press conference in Kharkiv on March.
“The Netherlands will support the Czech initiative of purchasing 800,000 rounds of ammunition, which will happen in the upcoming weeks. I can say we will allocate EUR 250 million [to this].”
Read also: Artillery shells and drones in new German aid package
Read also: Russia has received millions of artillery shells from North Korea
Prague found hundreds of thousands of artillery munitions abroad that could be transferred to Ukraine if other countries help with funding, Czech President Petr Pavel said during the Munich Security Conference on Feb.17.
The EU will only supply Ukraine with 52% of the 1 million artillery shells promised by March 2024, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said on Jan. 31, adding that they will only be able to fulfil the commitment by Winter 2024.
We’re bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!
Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
