During the Munich Security Conference in February, Pavel announced the Czechs had figured out a way to purchase 500,000 155 mm and 300,000 122 mm caliber artillery shells for Ukraine from producers outside the EU. The shells can be delivered within weeks if the funding is there, Pavel said.
Since then, Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway and others contributed millions to the Czech-led campaign. Delivery now depends on how fast the Czech defense ministry can secure the procurement documents, Pavel said.
At a Wednesday press conference in Odesa, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the progress on the initiative, but said “we can talk about a positive result only when the shells will be in Ukraine.
“Our partners have long-range weapons, but there should not be a ‘deficit of courage’ here,” the Ukrainian leader said.
