Thanks to the “Czech initiative” for the purchase of ammunition, Ukraine received 1.5 million artillery rounds last year, and Prague intends to continue purchases throughout 2025.
This was stated by Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky in an interview with the German RND, Ukrinform reports.
“We know that the war will continue and we will need to supply ammunition throughout 2025. I cannot give a specific figure for the new initiative this year because I do not want to set a goal. We must deliver whatever Ukraine needs. Now we are considering how we can finance the new initiative, and then we will see how much ammunition we can get for this money,” the diplomat said.
According to the top diplomat, in 2024, thanks to the Czech initiative, 1.5 million rounds were delivered to Ukraine, about a third of them 155 mm ones. This played an important role in establishing parity on the battlefield, the Czech minister said.
He also emphasized that this is a complex project that depends primarily on political will and financing, as well as on the origin and technical condition of the rounds. Sometimes they need to be adapted, repaired, or upgraded.
“In any case, there is still enough ammunition around the world that we could purchase for Ukraine. It is a matter of political will, and if many EU countries join our initiative again, we can achieve a lot for Ukraine,” the minister emphasized.
At the same time, Lipavsky categorically denied that Europe could cease military support for Ukraine.
He also stressed that peace in Europe needs to be strong and just.
As reported, in February 2024, at the international security conference in Munich, Czech President Petr Pavel said the Czech Republic had agreed with three countries to pool resources to assist Ukraine, including purchasing equipment and weapons.
Source: Czechia ready to pursue ammo purchases for Ukraine - Lipavsky
