As of: March 3, 2024 at 9:55 AM
Czech Republic President Pavel recently announced that Czech diplomats „found” artillery ammunition for Ukraine from third countries. Germany also wants to participate. But where does the ammunition come from?
Any possible support for Ukraine – President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel has left no doubt about his clear position since the beginning of his term last year. On the second anniversary of the Russian attack, he again spoke to thousands of Czechs in the Old Town Square in the heart of Prague about why Ukraine's victory was so important to the Czech Republic.
According to the Czech head of state, Russia is not only waging war against Ukraine. Russian aggression is directed against the entire Western world and the European value system. The president follows up his clear words with actions. The Czech Republic is currently at the forefront of European procurement of ammunition for Ukraine.
Historically strong Defense industry
The severe shortage, especially of artillery shells and anti-aircraft missiles, constitutes the greatest weakness in the Ukrainian army currently. The European Union had originally promised Ukraine one million artillery shells within a year. But due to production difficulties, just less than a third of them were delivered.
Here comes the role of the Czech Republic. The country historically has a strong arms industry, and private companies extensively trade manufactured goods from Warsaw Pact stockpiles. In the past, they often played a questionable role, but now their connections have proven effective.
Hundreds of thousands A round of ammunition
While the official global ammunition market was empty, Czech government officials were able to conduct secret negotiations. President Pavel presented the result at the Munich Security Conference in mid-February: about half a million 155 mm rounds and 300 thousand 122 mm rounds were “identified” abroad.
Czech weekly magazine „Respekt” spoke to the men who search for ammunition around the world on behalf of the president and the government. Your activities are subject to confidentiality. Among those responsible for this is the special representative of the government in Ukraine, Tomash Kopychny.
He did not reveal the countries from which the weapons come. This is fate – these are countries that remained neutral in the war or did not want to openly oppose Russia by supplying ammunition. The weekly magazine quoted him as saying that it was impossible to say more precisely because that would jeopardize the entire operation. Especially since the Russians were also intensively searching for new sources of supplies.
A new batch of aid to Ukraine
The Czech Republic would like to act primarily as an intermediary in the campaign. Other countries should take over the financing, which amounts to 1.5 billion euros. In fact, as Respekt reports, the entire transaction was supposed to take place behind closed doors.
But when President Pavel felt at the Munich Security Conference how the less optimistic situation on the front was also affecting the general mood at the political level, he decided to make a public statement – hoping that this support for Ukraine would give new impetus and new impetus. At the same time, lengthy bilateral negotiations on financing deliveries are shortened.
Germany appears to be participating as well
In fact, shortly after Pavel's appearance, several countries were willing to provide funds, including Denmark, Canada and the Netherlands. says the Federal Ministry of Defence Answer– Inquire about Germany's desire to also participate in financing and cover a „significant portion” of the costs. The discussions on this matter are very advanced.
The Netherlands and Denmark already had positive experiences with the Czech Republic as a skilled mediator at the beginning of the Russian offensive: Prague organized the delivery of 100 old Soviet tanks to Kiev; This was one of the first deliveries of heavy heavy tanks. technology.
Pavel's voice is heard in the West
President Pavel's personal commitment also plays an important role today. The retired NATO general and former head of the NATO Defense Committee also has a voice in the West.
It is now the job of the president and diplomacy to secure financing, and a significant portion of the sum is said to still be due. If successful, the weapons could be delivered to Ukraine within two months, according to the government. This will not be the last measure of its kind for the Czech Republic.
Official ammunition detectors from the Czech Republic continued to find urgently needed materials – this time also with large missiles, especially for anti-aircraft defence, and with threats, Respect magazine reported on Thursday, citing President Pavel.