Czech Advisor-Artillery Shells To Reach Ukraine By June At Earliest

Euractiv reporting comments from Tomas Pojar, the Czech national security adviser, claiming that first supplies artillery ammunition for Ukraine organised as part of a Czech-led effort would be delivered by June at the latest. The Czech plan has garnered significant support from within NATO, but was also seen as a source of controversy. The gov't of PM Petr Fiala had advocated for procuring artillery from any friendly source, even if it was not within the EU, to ensure rapidity of supply to Ukraine.

• However, French President Emmanuel Macron at first advocated boosting EU production rather than seeking supplies further afield. However, following a visit to Prague Macron said that France would back the plan. He also raised the prospect of using the EU's European Peace Facility funds for the plan.
• There remain questions over the amount of supplies. Initially, Czech President Petr Pavel claimed that 800k shells would be provided only for Fiala to say that 300k was the number in question. The Euractiv report has Fiala claiming that 300k shells have been confirmed with a further 200k pledged.
• Increasing ammunition supplies to the front lines is seen as one of the key factors in allowing Ukrainian troops to maintain their current positions and avoid further Russian advances.