Czech ammunition initiative to continue under new government
Jaromir Zuna (Photo: Czech Defense Ministry / Twitter)
The Czech-led initiative to procure artillery shells for the Ukrainian military will continue in 2026, despite the recent change of government, Czech Defense Minister Jaromir Zuna said on Dec. 19.
Zuna told Czech news outlet CT24 that supporting Ukraine is in the country’s national interest.
“Support for Ukraine will continue; we stand with Ukraine, a country defending itself, while Russia is the aggressor,” said the minister.
“That’s the fundamental point. The only question is how—also in light of our national interest—to support Kyiv in the most optimal way.”
After discussions with President Petr Pavel, Zuna added, he “considers it a legitimate request to review the initiative.”
Earlier, former PM Petr Fiala said Czechia had delivered 1.8 million rounds of ammunition to Ukraine that it had pledged to supply in 2025.
On Dec. 10, President Pavel urged the new government to maintain aid to Ukraine, saying it was vital not only for solidarity but also for Czech security and economic interests. He warned that halting support would limit cooperation on Ukraine’s reconstruction and could harm the country’s future security and economy.
On Dec. 9, Pavel formally appointed ANO party leader Andrej Babis prime minister. Babis’s party won the October parliamentary election with more than 34% of the vote. He had said that if elected, he would cancel the ammunition supply initiative, arguing that the funds should go “to the nation’s own people.”
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