Germany invests over €1 billion in Czech-led ammunition initiative for Ukraine

Germany has contributed more than €1 billion to the so-called "Czech ammunition initiative" aimed at supplying artillery shells to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul announced during a press conference in Prague on July 7 following talks with his Czech counterpart, Jan Lipavský.

“Czechia has ensured very important deliveries within the framework of the ammunition initiative. Germany has contributed over one billion euros to this effort. Thank you, colleague! This is a very important initiative,” Wadephul said, addressing Lipavský, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

In response, the Czech foreign minister expressed his gratitude, noting that Germany’s contribution was one of the largest since the initiative began.

Launched in spring 2024, the Czech-led ammunition initiative involves the coordinated procurement of mostly large-calibre artillery shells from third countries, financed by several Western states. The collected ammunition is then sent to Ukraine.

According to the Czech Ministry of Defence, over 1.5 million artillery shells have been gathered and delivered to Ukrainian forces through this initiative in 2024 alone.

By Vugar Khalilov