The war in Ukraine continues, and one of the key factors for the success of the Ukrainian Armed Forces remains a steady supply of ammunition. However, supply issues have been increasingly arising—not only from the U.S., where aid has stalled due to political disagreements in Congress—but also under the Czech initiative, which was previously seen as a crucial alternative.
In February 2024, the Czech Republic announced plans to procure hundreds of thousands of artillery shells for Ukraine from outside the EU. President Petr Pavel stated that around 800,000 rounds had been located, including 500,000 155-mm shells and 300,000 122-mm shells. These munitions were supposed to be delivered to Ukraine in the coming months.
However, the implementation of this initiative is now facing serious challenges:
- Funding Issues. Although several countries (including Canada, the Netherlands, Denmark, and others) expressed willingness to contribute to the purchase, fundraising has been slower than expected. Some nations are delaying payments, which is postponing procurement.
- Logistics and Contracts. Some of the ammunition is located in third countries, and its transportation requires complex negotiations. Additionally, suppliers may revise deal terms due to growing demand and geopolitical risks.
- Political Delays. Just like with U.S. aid, there are forces in Europe opposing further military support for Ukraine. This could affect the timeline and volume of deliveries.
- Parallels with U.S. Aid Delays
The situation with the Czech initiative resembles the crisis surrounding American military aid. In the U.S., a Ukraine aid package has been blocked for months by Republicans in Congress. Without new supplies, the Ukrainian Armed Forces risk running critically low on ammunition, including shells for HIMARS and artillery.
If the Czech initiative also faces further delays, Ukraine will find itself in an extremely difficult position. The Russian army holds an artillery advantage, and without sufficient ammunition, Ukrainian forces will struggle to hold the front line.
Ukraine urgently needs a continuous flow of military aid, particularly artillery shells. However, both American and European supplies are now in question. If the West does not speed up funding and delivery processes, this could severely undermine Ukraine’s position in 2024.
The Czech initiative remains an important project, but without swift decisions, it risks becoming another example of delayed assistance. In wartime, every week of delay carries critical consequences.
