Ukraine expects to receive three million shells from allies to help the country in its war against Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday.
“The Czech artillery initiative is working brilliantly,” the Ukrainian president said, noting that there would be a meeting on Monday with “Czech defence companies”, with details to be announced later. “Not only North Korea is capable of helping Russia in the war - we have allies who are helping Ukraine,” Zelenskiy said in comments reported by local media.
Furthermore, he revealed that discussions are underway for a Ukrainian-Czech pilot training school for F16 fighter jets, although the school could not yet be established in Ukraine “due to current security concerns”. Speaking alongside the Czech president and former NATO general Petr Pavel, Zelenskiy said “Putin can end the war with a single decision but he has not shown any willingness so far”.
Czech President Petr Pavel announced on May 4 that Ukraine will receive 1.8 million artillery shells by the end of 2025 through the Czech-led ammunition initiative. Supported by countries like Canada, Norway, the Netherlands, and Denmark, the program has greatly enhanced Ukraine's artillery capabilities - narrowing the previous 1-to-10 shell disadvantage against Russia to a much closer 1-to-2 ratio, according to Pavel.
