Prague seeks new donors for Ukraine ammunition effort
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A Ukrainian serviceman loading an ammunition shell into a self-propelled howitzer, near the town of Chasiv Yar in Ukraine's Donetsk region, on June 22.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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PRAGUE - The Czech Republic on June 27 called for more donors to join its initiative to supply ammunition to war-ravaged Ukraine, warning that more contributions were needed to hit its target.
The EU and Nato member of 10.9 million people has spearheaded an international fund-raising drive to help the Ukrainian army, which has been battling a Russian invasion since February 2022.
Eighteen countries are involved in the Czech drive and Prague said on June 25 that the first lot of ammunition bought outside Europe under the initiative had reached Ukraine.
“If we want to meet the target of 800,000 units... we need more donors. We know about ammunition that is available,” Defence Minister Jana Cernochova told reporters.
“We are ready to supply up to 500,000 large-calibre artillery shells this year, and we have this amount covered financially,” she added.
Ms Cernochova said 15 countries have provided funds for the purchases and the others are cooperating in other ways.
Mr Tomas Kopecny, the Czech government’s envoy for Ukraine reconstruction, said in May that Prague had raised some €1.7 billion (S$2.4 billion) to buy the first 500,000 shells.
He named Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal among contributors.
Czech media have mentioned the Baltic states, Belgium, Finland, Iceland, Luxembourg, Norway and Slovenia among countries willing to join the drive.
Ms Cernochova said on June 27 that regarding the first shipment, “it was owing to Germany that we were able to deliver up to 50,000 artillery shells to Ukraine”. She did not give further details.
The current drive makes up in part for the EU’s failure to meet its promise to supply one million shells to Ukraine by the end of March 2024, which faltered due to limited production capacities.
The Czechs have turned to markets in third countries, competing with Russia for available ammunition supplies there.
Ms Cernochova said Prague was looking for the ammunition in countries which may not directly oppose Russia but “have the means to help Ukraine”.
It is using the expertise and contacts of Czech arms makers, she added.
Mr Kopecny said Ukraine would need 200,000 shells a month over the next two years to keep up with Russia.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on June 27 the Czech Republic itself had contributed 865 million koruna (S$50 million).
“The ammunition initiative works well,” Mr Fiala said. “We will now supply dozens of thousands of shells a month.” AFP
