Poland joins Czech initiative to boost ammunition supplies to Ukraine
Poland will provide logistical and financial support to increase the supply of ammo to Ukraine purchased under the Czech initiative in third countries, Polish FM Radoslaw Sikorski said at a press conference in Prague on March 21, Reuters reports.
Ukraine is currently in dire need of ammunition.
"We are happy to contribute not only financially but also to a very efficient logistics operation so that the ammunition can be delivered to where it is needed at the front," the official said.
Read also: Ammunition under Prague’s initiative could reach Ukrainian battlefields in June – Czech PM adviser
Czech initiative to purchase ammunition for Ukraine: what is known
Czech President Petr Pavel first announced the possibility of buying 800,000 shells for Ukraine on Feb.17. He said he had found half a million pieces of 155-millimeter ammunition and 300,000 pieces of 122-millimeter ammunition. Pavel did not name the countries that agreed to sell the shells.
A Ukrainian security official told NV that plans are in place to purchase more shells from South Korea and South Africa. The contract is estimated to cost around $2 billion.
So far, more than 15 countries have pledged funding for the ammunition, including Finland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Portugal, Sweden, and Norway, as well as non-European allies such as Canada. While Prague identifies available ammunition worldwide, other countries provide the necessary funding. Czechia will then coordinate delivery to Ukrainian battlefields.
Media reports on March 7 indicated that the allies had raised the entire amount needed to purchase the shells.
On March 11, German newspaper Bild reported that Czechia had purchased 800,000 artillery shells from third countries, which could be delivered to Ukraine within a few weeks. According to the newspaper, Czechiz could have purchased the ammunition in South Korea, South Africa and Turkiye.
Czech Prime Minister's National Security Advisor Tomáš Pojar said on March 12 that the ammunition could arrive in Ukraine in June.
Read also: With defense production spiking, Europe will soon produce enough ammo for both Ukraine and EU
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on March 13 that about 800,000 artillery shells purchased for Ukraine under the Czech initiative will start arriving at the front in the near future.
The Wall Street Journal wrote on March 18 that Prague is looking for ammunition for Ukraine around the world, with even Russia's allies among the suppliers.
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
