Ukraine will receive the first 155-millimeter shells bought outside Europe through a Czech-led initiative in the coming days. The Czech Republic is leading an international fundraising drive to buy ammunition for the Ukrainian army, which has been fighting a Russian invasion since February 2022. Fifteen EU and NATO countries have already contributed over 1.6 billion euros ($1.7 billion), according to Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala. The first shipment of tens of thousands of 155-millimeter ammunitions is expected to be delivered in June.
Fiala made the announcement while meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Smyhal, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen, Latvia’s Evika Silina, and Polish President Andrzej Duda in Prague. Ukraine has already received heavy equipment, mid-calibre and large-calibre ammunition, and missiles from allies since the start of the war. The leaders discussed accelerating supplies, including air defense systems, and enhancing defense industry cooperation. Prague will host a meeting of NATO foreign ministers on Thursday and Friday, leading up to a NATO summit in Washington in July.
