**Ukraine to Receive Additional Artillery Shells through Czech-Led Initiative**
In a major boost to its military capabilities, Ukraine is set to receive 400,000 additional artillery shells in 2025 as part of the Czech-led munitions initiative. The announcement was made by Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on May 20 via Telegram.
This initiative, which has gained significant momentum since its launch in 2024, has already provided Ukraine with around 1.5 million artillery shells of various calibers. The project is supported by contributions from several nations, including Canada, Norway, the Netherlands, and Denmark. These countries have come together to help supplement Ukraine’s artillery capabilities amid ongoing shell shortages.
**Czechia’s Ongoing Support**
Shmyhal also announced that Czechia has increased its annual aid allocation to Ukraine to over $43 million. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, the Czech government has provided a staggering $900 million in military assistance to Kyiv. This significant support is a testament to Prague’s commitment to standing with Ukraine in this critical moment.
**Enhanced Cooperation**
During their meeting, Shmyhal and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries. They agreed to integrate the Ukrainian and Czech defense industries more closely, potentially leading to increased production of military equipment and supplies. The leaders also talked about expanding economic support and humanitarian assistance.
**Training Ukrainian Pilots**
In a particularly significant move, Shmyhal announced that Ukraine and Czechia have agreed to cooperate in training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 airplanes. This marks an exciting step forward in the development of Ukraine’s air force capabilities.
**A Leader in EU Support**
Czechia has played a leading role within the European Union (EU) in rallying military support for Ukraine. The country has also hosted hundreds of thousands of refugees since the start of the war, demonstrating its commitment to humanitarian aid and assistance.
As concerns about the future of arms pipelines have been raised in the past, this renewed initiative from Czechia is a welcome boost to Ukraine’s military capabilities.
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