Germany to allocate €300m to Czech-led ammunition initiative for Ukraine
Germany is to allocate another €300 million to a Czech-led initiative to supply ammunition to Ukraine.
Source: German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius following talks with Czech Defence Minister Jaromír Zůna, as reported by European Pravda citing Novinky, a Czech news website
Details: The funds should be enough to purchase about 50,000 rounds of ammunition for Ukraine.
"Germany plays an important role as a supplier of military equipment and ammunition and, together with our defence industry, makes a significant contribution to European security," Zůna said during his visit to Berlin. He underscored the responsibility Germany has assumed for Europe's security and defence.
After the meeting, Pistorius announced that Berlin will provide an additional €300 million for the Czech-led ammunition initiative. He described the initiative as an important tool to help a country now in its fifth year of resisting Russia's invasion, and thanked Czechia for continuing to run it.
Germany is the largest foreign donor to the initiative, to which a total of €1 billion was allocated last year.
Czechia launched the project in 2024, mainly with the backing of former Prime Minister Petr Fiala, who presented the proposal at a meeting of European leaders in February 2024, and President Petr Pavel.
The initiative involves sourcing available large-calibre ammunition on global markets, securing its purchase using funds from partner countries, and then delivering it to Ukraine.
Czechia's current coalition government, a right-wing Eurosceptic alliance consisting of the ANO, SPD and the Motorists' party, initially considered ending the initiative. Eventually it was decided that Czechia would retain its administrative and organisational role, but would no longer take part in the purchases.
Opposition politicians have criticised the government's position. MP and former foreign minister Jan Lipavský said: "Germany's move is excellent news. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš should reconsider his position and also provide Ukraine with ammunition against Russia."
Background:
- A poll conducted in February showed that about 62% of Czech citizens are in favour of continuing the initiative to purchase ammunition for Ukraine.
- NATO has said the Czech initiative has sourced significantly more shells than expected.
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