Poland commits to funding ammunition for Ukraine
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has committed to supporting the funding of a Czech initiative aimed at purchasing ammunition for Ukraine. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
In February, the Czech Republic initiated a significant procurement effort to supply ammunition to Ukraine's troops from outside the EU.
Poland has committed to support the financing of this Czech initiative, as confirmed by Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski in an interview with the European Truth news outlet. Sikorski’s comments followed reports indicating that Poland was the only supporter of Kiev that had not yet contributed to this initiative, despite earlier commitments. According to the Polish newspaper Wyborcza, by August, over a dozen countries had already provided funding, enabling the purchase of more than half a million artillery shells from non-EU manufacturers, with Germany contributing the largest portion.
While acknowledging that Poland has not yet made any payments towards this initiative, Sikorski attributed the delay to temporary challenges. “We have made a political decision to allocate €50 million this year and another €50 million next year. But there are some technical, administrative and legal issues related to the state agency for strategic reserves,” he explained. He added that the Foreign Ministry had completed its part and expressed hope that “colleagues from other ministries will also do everything,” assuring, “It will definitely be done.”
The Czech initiative for ammunitions procurement was developed in response to delays from Western manufacturers in meeting the urgent artillery needs of Ukraine's armed forces. Reports indicate that collective production from Ukraine's allies has been limited to 1.3 million shells in a year, while Russia has managed to produce 4.5 million at a significantly lower cost compared to European and American counterparts.
Eighteen countries, including Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Portugal, have joined the effort to finance Prague's plan. In July, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky noted that 15 countries had provided financial contributions, ensuring sufficient funds to deliver 500,000 shells to Ukraine by the end of the year. Czech officials have also proposed extending the scheme into 2025.
Meanwhile, Moscow has consistently criticized the West's military assistance to Ukraine, arguing that such shipments of weapons and ammunition merely prolong the conflict, leading to further casualties without changing the ultimate outcome.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
Poland has committed to support the financing of this Czech initiative, as confirmed by Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski in an interview with the European Truth news outlet. Sikorski’s comments followed reports indicating that Poland was the only supporter of Kiev that had not yet contributed to this initiative, despite earlier commitments. According to the Polish newspaper Wyborcza, by August, over a dozen countries had already provided funding, enabling the purchase of more than half a million artillery shells from non-EU manufacturers, with Germany contributing the largest portion.
While acknowledging that Poland has not yet made any payments towards this initiative, Sikorski attributed the delay to temporary challenges. “We have made a political decision to allocate €50 million this year and another €50 million next year. But there are some technical, administrative and legal issues related to the state agency for strategic reserves,” he explained. He added that the Foreign Ministry had completed its part and expressed hope that “colleagues from other ministries will also do everything,” assuring, “It will definitely be done.”
The Czech initiative for ammunitions procurement was developed in response to delays from Western manufacturers in meeting the urgent artillery needs of Ukraine's armed forces. Reports indicate that collective production from Ukraine's allies has been limited to 1.3 million shells in a year, while Russia has managed to produce 4.5 million at a significantly lower cost compared to European and American counterparts.
Eighteen countries, including Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Portugal, have joined the effort to finance Prague's plan. In July, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky noted that 15 countries had provided financial contributions, ensuring sufficient funds to deliver 500,000 shells to Ukraine by the end of the year. Czech officials have also proposed extending the scheme into 2025.
Meanwhile, Moscow has consistently criticized the West's military assistance to Ukraine, arguing that such shipments of weapons and ammunition merely prolong the conflict, leading to further casualties without changing the ultimate outcome.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
