Lithuania to join procurement of artillery shells for Ukraine at Czech initiative

Prime Minister Ingrid Šimonite says that Lithuania will facilitate the Czech Republic's multilateral initiative to purchase and transfer artillery ammunition to Ukraine

This was reported by the Lithuanian government, Prime Minister Ingrid Šimonite confirmed on Monday.

"This is a very important initiative, especially at a time when the supply of ammunition to Ukraine has slowed down. As before, Lithuania will continue to support all formats of support that will enhance Ukraine's ability to effectively defend itself against Russian aggression, thus protecting the freedom of the whole of Europe," Šimonite said after a telephone conversation with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala.

As part of the initiative, the countries are participating in the joint procurement and transfer of ammunition to Ukraine, identifying possible ammunition stockpiles or sources of rapid production for purchase.

The heads of government of Lithuania and the Czech Republic also discussed the security situation in the region, the importance of increasing defence investment in Europe, and the determination to strengthen bilateral relations between Lithuania and the Czech Republic.

• On February 17, it was reported that the Czech Republic had found sources of supply abroad for hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds that it could deliver to Ukraine in a matter of weeks.
• The Netherlands publicly announced its participation, donating 100 million euros for the purchase of ammunition. France will also join the initiative to purchase shells for Ukraine outside the EU.
• On February 22, it became known that Canada was ready to allocate up to $22 million for ammunition for Ukraine at the initiative of the Czech Republic.
• Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo also said that the country would finance the Czech initiative to purchase 800,000 shells for Ukraine with €200 million.
• The Czech initiative to purchase 800,000 rounds of ammunition for Ukraine from outside the European Union, which is jointly funded by various countries, said on March 2 that it would be able to make the first deliveries to Kyiv in a few weeks.