The Czech Republic has urged EU member states to finance the procurement of 450,000 artillery shells from suppliers outside the European Union. The goal is to deliver a total of one million rounds to Ukraine by March, as reported by Policy, which cited four diplomatic sources. The move highlights Prague’s concern over the pace of the current support arrangements and its request reflects a broader push to accelerate military aid to Ukraine in the face of ongoing tensions and battlefield needs.
According to the statement, the Czech government is alarmed by delays in the plan and is asking EU countries to back the purchase of 450,000 shells from sources outside the bloc. The emphasis is on securing additional ammunition quickly to bridge gaps and bolster Kyiv’s defensive and offensive capabilities during critical periods of the conflict. The effort is framed as a pragmatic measure to ensure steady supply lines and sustain Ukraine’s operational readiness as it faces a protracted confrontation.
Diplomatic chatter has suggested that the bloc could look for shells beyond its borders, with possibilities including partnerships with manufacturers in Turkey, South Korea, and South Africa. One diplomat referenced the 450,000-shell figure and noted that outside-EU suppliers could be tapped to meet urgent demand. The discussions illustrate the EU’s ongoing balancing act between maintaining a coherent common defense policy and mobilizing rapid, scalable support for Ukraine amid shifting military needs.
On January 31, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell commented on the plan, indicating that the Union would supply Ukraine with roughly 500,000 artillery shells from February 2023 through March 2024. He also pledged to double that amount in the near term, underscoring a commitment to reinforce Kyiv’s firepower relative to Russian forces. That same day, Borrell spoke prior to an informal gathering of EU defense ministers in Brussels, emphasizing what officials described as a significant imbalance in firepower between Ukraine and Russia and the necessity to address it promptly through enhanced funding and procurement efforts.
These deliberations come in the context of a broader EU decision to allocate substantial financial support to Ukraine. In prior steps, the bloc has committed tens of billions of euros to Kyiv, a move that signals sustained political backing even as member states debate optimal delivery mechanisms, oversight, and the speed of disbursement. The aim remains to ensure that Ukraine can maintain its defense posture, sustain operations with reliable artillery reserves, and respond effectively to evolving battlefield demands. In this ongoing effort, the emphasis is on coordinating funding, leveraging external suppliers when necessary, and maintaining a steady cadence of ammunition transfers that align with strategic timelines and operational realities. The overarching objective is to prevent shortages, reduce friction in supply chains, and reinforce the alliance’s commitment to Ukraine while managing the financial and logistical complexities involved in large-scale weapons procurement and distribution. The policy trajectory reflects a careful blend of urgency and prudence as EU leaders work to harmonize defense ambitions across member states and partners. This approach also aims to reassure Kyiv and its allies that the union remains a reliable and proactive security partner in a volatile period.