Ukraine may receive the first batches of ammunition under the Czech ammunition initiative as early as June, with contracts signed for about 500,000 large-caliber rounds.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that NATO should play a greater role in coordinating long-term assistance to Ukraine, including immediate needs on the battlefield, predictable financial support, and aid coordination.
According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, without appropriate assistance from the United States, Ukraine will have no chance of winning the war with Russia.
Biden called on Congress to approve aid to Ukraine, warning that Russia will not stop in Ukraine and its aggression threatens NATO and Europe, while Czech Prime Minister Fiala said it was necessary to continue supporting Ukraine as long as possible.
Biden and Czech Prime Minister Fiala discussed NATO alliances, strengthening the Czech Republic's defense capabilities, unwavering support for Ukraine against Russian invasion, and signing a memorandum on protecting democratic institutions from foreign disinformation.
The Czech Republic has contracted 180,000 rounds of ammunition for Ukraine and is working to contract another 300,000 rounds as part of its initiative to support Ukraine's defense efforts.
Prague is preparing to deport russian Alexander Stepanov, who has lived in the Czech Republic for more than 20 years and headed the Coordinating Council of Czech Compatriots, because of his alleged contacts with russian diplomats involved in the 2020 ricin scandal.
The Czech government will allocate tens of millions of euros to purchase hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds for Ukraine.
The Czech initiative to purchase ammunition for Ukraine outside the EU needs more funding, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said, calling on allies to provide more money to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression.
Poland will make a material, technical and financial contribution to the Czech plan to increase the supply of ammunition to Ukraine from outside the European Union.
With American aid blocked, Western production slowing down, and stockpiles in Ukraine dwindling, the Czech Republic is using Cold War contacts to purchase ammunition for Ukraine from countries allied with Moscow.
The Czech Republic secured an opportunity to purchase an additional 200,000 units of artillery ammunition for Ukraine from third countries.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala will meet with U. S. President Joe Biden in April to discuss Ukraine, security issues, economic opportunities, common democratic values, and reaffirm his strong support for Ukraine against Russian aggression.
The Czech Republic, together with its partners, raised funds to purchase the first batch of 300,000 artillery shells for Ukraine.
The Czech Republic has raised the total amount needed to purchase 800,000 shells for Ukraine. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala noted that Ukraine needs support now more than ever.
The Czech Republic suspends intergovernmental consultations with Slovakia because of Slovakia's pro-Russian stance and the meeting between Slovak Foreign Minister and his Russian counterpart Lavrov.
Macron announces France's support for the Czech plan to buy hundreds of thousands of artillery shells from non-EU countries to help Ukraine.
During his visit to Prague, Macron will discuss France's position on the Czech plan to purchase weapons for Ukraine outside of Europe.
Lithuania supports the Czech initiative to purchase and transfer artillery ammunition to Ukraine from outside the EU to help Ukraine defend itself against russian aggression.
The Czech Republic may receive the first supplies of artillery ammunition for Ukraine in a few weeks from European countries that will donate funds through the Czech initiative to purchase shells from third countries.
European leaders say they have no plans to send ground troops to Ukraine.
Finland has handed over 22 aid packages to Ukraine and will continue to provide military assistance, including ammunition and air defense equipment.
The Czech Republic and Poland are not considering sending troops to Ukraine, according to statements by their prime ministers after a meeting in Paris, where the possibility remained open but not agreed upon by European countries.
European countries support the Czech initiative to purchase EU ammunition outside Europe to further support Ukraine.
According to Macron, Russia cannot and should not win this war in Ukraine, for the sake of Ukraine itself and the collective security of Europe.
The Czech government has decided to extend indefinitely its order to suspend the issuance of visas and residence permits to citizens of Russia and Belarus.
The Czech Republic is in talks with Germany to receive 15 Leopard 2A4 tanks as a gift and to buy 15 more modernized Leopard 2A8 tanks to improve its defense capabilities as it abandons Soviet-era equipment that has already been transferred to Ukraine.
By October 2024, the Czech government will request the opinion of the National Economic Council on the feasibility of joining the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM II) as a prerequisite for the introduction of the euro.
Zelensky said that further consolidation would be important to prepare for the upcoming European Council meeting at the level of leaders and to identify priorities for the rest of the year that Ukraine and Europe need.
Five EU leaders call on the bloc to fulfill its promises and provide Ukraine with enough weapons.