The ammunition initiative, which has already provided Ukraine with nearly 4.4 million large-caliber munitions, must be continued, as there is no better alternative.
This was stated in an interview with Odkryto by the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel.
Pavel noted that he is not the only one convinced of the need to continue the ammunition initiative; many allies share this view — at least 15 countries that financially participate in it, as well as Ukraine, which considers the ammunition initiative extremely successful.
“If you look at the dry figures alone, more than 50% of all large-caliber ammunition for Ukraine was supplied precisely through the ammunition initiative last year… Since its launch, it has delivered about 4.4 million units of large-caliber ammunition to Ukraine, and last year alone — just under 2 million… So it can be said that it has been vital for Ukraine. And it continues to be so, because we currently have no alternative to it,” Pavel said.
He noted that the Czech Republic not only provided the initial impetus but also created the know-how on how to bring partners together, raise funds and resources, secure routes and logistics, so that ammunition can be purchased worldwide wherever it is available and delivered to Ukraine under reasonable conditions and at reasonable prices in the shortest possible time.
“Without this supply of ammunition, the Armed Forces of Ukraine would not have been able to conduct an effective defense, because if you do not have guaranteed and predictable ammunition supplies, you cannot effectively plan your defense,” the former NATO general emphasized.
He acknowledged that there had been considerable domestic criticism in the Czech Republic regarding the transparency of the initiative’s financing, but stressed that so far there has been no evidence to justify such criticism. The politician said that from the very beginning, the Czech Republic invited the largest donors to send their auditors to monitor how the funds were being spent.
“And from none of them — and we should note that billions of euros were involved — have we received any criticism indicating shortcomings in transparency or corruption,” Pavel stressed.
He added that he fully supports investigating any allegations against companies if such arise, but emphasized that this must not jeopardize the entire initiative, as it is transparent and enjoys the trust of the Czech Republic’s partners.
