Photo: Klára Stejskalová, Radio Prague International
A fresh Russian offensive targeted at Kharkiv puts Ukraine’s efforts to defend itself against Putin’s aggression under renewed focus. It may also increase the importance of a Czech initiative to provide large amounts of artillery ammunition to Ukraine, funded by partner states, which is set to begin next month.
Czech President Petr Pavel made world headlines in February when he said at the Munich Security Conference that his country could secure 800,000 artillery shells for Ukraine – if partner states provided the funding.
What became known as the “Czech initiative” earned international plaudits and was celebrated domestically as one of the most successful diplomatic efforts in the state’s modern history.
Though there have been some questions along the way about Prague’s ability to deliver, Czech leaders have repeatedly said June is when deliveries of the artillery procured under the scheme will begin.
See the rest here.
Authors: Ian Willoughby, Šárka Fenyková