Czech Republic buys ammunition for Ukraine and from Russia's allies - media
Kyiv • UNN
With American aid blocked, Western production slowing down, and stockpiles in Ukraine dwindling, the Czech Republic is using Cold War contacts to purchase ammunition for Ukraine from countries allied with Moscow.
The Czech Republic uses Cold War contacts to purchase ammunition for Ukraine. Due to the blocked US aid, slowed production of ammunition in the West and the reduction of Ukraine's stockpiles, Prague buys them from countries that are allies of Moscow. This is reported by The Wall Street Journal, which quotes Novinky, UNN reports.
According to the WSJ, the Czech Republic, which the publication calls one of Ukraine's staunchest supporters in its defense against Russian aggression, has received about 800,000 artillery shells from various suppliers around the world and has identified another 700,000 units that can be ordered with additional funding. So far, 300,000 shells have been collected for the first tranche. Germany made the largest contribution to the funding.
According to the newspaper, the country's former affiliation with the Soviet bloc turned out to be an unexpected help.
The Czech Republic inherited a large arms industry with customers around the world and good relations with many countries in the Global South that have large stockpiles of Soviet weapons and are capable of producing even more.
The publication writes that among the suppliers of ammunition to Ukraine are some states that call themselves allies of Russia. The deliveries will be made through the Czech Republic or third countries to hide any direct connection between the countries of origin and Ukraine, as well as to avoid exposing the suppliers to criticism from Moscow.
"Confidentiality is key: We are talking and will continue to talk to everyone, regardless of their loyalty or political position - with some exceptions, such as North Korea," said Tomáš Poyar, National Security Advisor to Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala.
According to Czech Deputy Defense Minister Jan Jiresch, the Czech initiative has revealed a contradiction between the friendly attitude of some governments toward Russia and their willingness to make deals with Ukraine's allies privately.
The Czech officials behind the covert munitions purchases told the WSJ that they began negotiating the purchase of ammunition shortly before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. They began traveling the world, making deals and negotiating export licenses with dozens of manufacturers.
"The Czech initiative will help Ukraine stabilize the front and regain the upper hand," said former Chief of Staff of the German Ministry of Defense Nico Lange.
According to analysts, Ukraine needs up to 200,000 units of ammunition of various calibers every month to counter Russian aggression.
Recall
The Czech Republic has found an opportunity to purchase another 200,000 artillery rounds for the Ukrainian Defense Forces from third countries.
