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Czech leader to continue Ukraine ammo program without public funds
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš announced on January 6 that the Czech-led munitions initiative for Ukraine will proceed, marking a notable shift from his prior pledge to scrap the program. Speaking after the Volunteer Coalition summit in Paris, Babiš stated the Czech Republic will serve as coordinator but cease providing financial support from its state budget. "The project will continue, and the Czech Republic will act as coordinator," Babiš wrote on social media. "No Czech citizens' money will be invested in the munitions initiative."
This decision followed consultations with coalition partners and contrasts his pre-election vow to end the program, which he had criticized for lacking transparency and excessive costs. Launched early in 2024, the effort pools funding from international donors including Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands, working with Czech defense officials and arms traders to source large-caliber ammunition worldwide. Former Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky noted donors contributed about $4.8 billion, while Czech input reached up to 3 billion crowns ($145.15 million).
A senior NATO military official expressed cautious optimism in December about the program's future, highlighting its delivery of 1.8 million artillery shells to Ukraine in 2025—43 percent of total munitions supplied. Since inception, it has successfully provided over 3.7 million artillery rounds. The Czech State Security Council was set to debate the program's fate on January 7. Babiš's populist ANO party won October elections and formed a coalition with two smaller parties, facing pressure from pro-Russian allies opposed to Ukraine aid. President Petr Pavel, a former NATO official, advocated continuing the initiative.
Addressing reporters in Paris, Babiš emphasized the program must remain "transparent and corruption-free" to persist. His announcement came as Ukraine's allies gathered to finalize security guarantees for Kyiv in case of a ceasefire with Russia.
