Czechia’s Pavel defends Ukraine ammunition supply program
Petr Pavel (Photo: REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger)
Czech President Petr Pavel urged the incoming government not to end Prague’s initiative to supply artillery ammunition to Ukraine, warning that doing so would hurt both Ukraine and Czechia, Reuters reported on Oct. 6.
Days ago, Czech right-wing populist party ANO won parliamentary elections, although falling short of getting a majority of seats. ANO’s leader, Andrej Babis, previously said he would cancel the program, arguing it diverted too much public funds from domestic needs. He insisted that NATO and the European Union should take up the burden.
“If we cut or even end this support, we will first and foremost harm ourselves,” Pavel said.
“Ending it will also have a negative impact on Ukraine if more people die. I expect that Andrej Babis and other party representatives will put the interests of Czechia, our allies and partners such as Ukraine first, and not harm either.”
In 2024, with backing from its European allies, Prague launched the program to bolster Ukraine’s armed forces by buying artillery shells from third countries. By August 2025, Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský said the program had already delivered more than 1 million artillery shells to Ukraine.
In the Oct. 3–4 vote, ANO claimed more than 34% of the vote and 82 seats in the 200-member chamber. The center-right SPOLU coalition led by incumbent Prime Minister Petr Fiala finished second with 22.9% and 51 seats. A 101-seat majority will require either force to seek coalition partners.
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