Czech Foreign Minister Confirms Funding for Ammunition Initiative Through 2026
Prague, The Gulf Observer: Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský announced on Wednesday that funding has been secured to sustain the Czech ammunition initiative through 2026, ensuring continued support for Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia.
Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg, Lipavský confirmed that the secured funding will allow Prague to carry the initiative forward into next year. However, he cautioned that the long-term future of the project will largely hinge on the outcome of the Czech parliamentary elections scheduled for October.
Lipavský underscored the initiative’s substantial battlefield impact, noting that it has helped significantly narrow Russia’s artillery advantage in Ukraine. “We have seen a shift from a ten-to-one imbalance to a two-to-one ratio, which is a fivefold improvement. This marks a turning point,” he stated.
As part of the initiative, the Czech Republic plans to deliver 1.8 million artillery shells to Ukraine in 2025, including both 155mm and 152mm calibers. The effort is being backed by eleven countries contributing to fund the deliveries for next year.
The ammunition initiative, launched as a multilateral response to Ukraine’s urgent military needs, continues to serve as a critical element in international support for Kyiv’s defense efforts.
