Ukraine to Receive 400,000 Shells Under Czech-Led Initiative by End of April
Ukraine is set to receive 400,000 large-caliber shells through a Czech-led effort aimed at bolstering its defense capabilities.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to the Czech news channel ČT24.
"By the close of April, we will have transferred 400,000 units of large-caliber ammunition to Ukraine," Jana Černochová, Czech Defense Minister, stated.
According to her, financial resources are already in place to sustain additional purchases until autumn. However, she refrained from speculating whether the volume of deliveries this year would surpass last year’s achievements.
"We plan to supply as much ammunition as we can secure from global markets," she explained. Černochová mentioned that while there is an opportunity to acquire up to 1.5 million shells, much will depend on the availability of funding.
The Czech defense chief rejected claims that the initiative could undermine peace prospects in Ukraine. She noted that U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had expressed gratitude for the project and encouraged broader support among Ukraine’s allies within the Ramstein format.
"Our goal is to strengthen Ukraine’s position at the negotiating table. The best way to achieve lasting peace is by ensuring Ukraine remains capable of defending itself," Černochová emphasized.
She also praised the outcomes of a recent meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump at the Vatican. Following their talks, she suggested, Trump now better understands the European position that Russia is the primary aggressor.
Launched in 2024, the Czech initiative – backed by international partners – enabled the purchase and delivery of around 1.5 million rounds of various calibers for the Ukrainian military.
Meanwhile, European leaders, including European Commission President Kaja Kallas, are pushing forward plans to deliver an additional two million shells to Ukraine in the near future.
As The Gaze reported earlier, the European Union is planning a defence initiative for Ukraine, which provides for additional military assistance worth €40 billion.