Polish MoD confirms support for Czech-led ammunition initiative for Ukraine

Ukrinform reported that the Polish Defense Ministry confirmed Poland's commitment to the Czech Republic’s plan for a joint ammunition purchase for Ukraine, which was announced earlier this year. Since then, government-level discussions have been ongoing to finalize the financial contributions and project details. RARS has been tasked with managing this effort and is actively consulting with AMOS.

Recently, a Polish newspaper reported that Poland did not fund the Czech-led initiative to buy ammunition for Ukraine despite its pledge.

Czech initiative to purchase ammunition for Ukraine

On February 17, it was announced that the Czech Republic had secured sources abroad for hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds, which could be delivered to Ukraine within weeks. 

The Netherlands publicly committed to the effort by donating 100 million euros for ammunition. France will also join the initiative to purchase shells for Ukraine outside the EU, and Germany and Norway have expressed their support as well.

On February 22, Canada announced it would allocate up to $22 million for shells for Ukraine. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said Belgium would fund the Czech initiative with €200 million.

Later, Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė confirmed that Lithuania would contribute to the Czech Republic's multilateral initiative to purchase and transfer artillery ammunition to Ukraine.

On June 25, Ukraine received the first batch of ammunition from the Czech initiative. By June 28, it was reported that Ukraine was expected to receive about half a million rounds by the end of 2024.

On July 22, it was announced that Ukraine would receive 100,000 rounds of ammunition in July and August as part of the initiative.

Meanwhile, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated that Warsaw would allocate €100 million to purchase ammunition for the Ukrainian Armed Forces under the Czech initiative.