Half of countries have withdrawn from Czech ammunition initiative for Ukraine

Half of the 18 countries participating in the Czech-led ammunition initiative for Ukraine have withdrawn since Prime Minister Andrej Babiš took office last December. The development was revealed in an interview with Czech President Petr Pavel published on Tuesday.

Half of the participating countries have pulled out of the Czech-led initiative to purchase ammunition for Ukraine since Prime Minister Andrej Babiš took office in December last year, Czech President Petr Pavel revealed in an interview published on Tuesday.

The initiative, which was launched by the Czech Republic to coordinate the bulk purchase and delivery of artillery ammunition to Ukraine, originally brought together 18 nations. According to Pavel, approximately nine of those countries have since withdrawn their participation following the change in government in Prague.

Babiš, who returned to power after last year's parliamentary elections, has taken a markedly different stance toward military support for Ukraine compared to his predecessor. His government's shift in policy has raised concerns among Ukraine's other European supporters about the long-term viability of the ammunition programme.

The Czech ammunition initiative had been considered one of the more concrete and effective European mechanisms for channelling military supplies to Kyiv outside of the main NATO and EU frameworks. The withdrawal of half its member states significantly undermines its capacity to deliver on its original goals.

President Pavel, who holds a largely ceremonial role but has been a vocal advocate for continued support of Ukraine, used the interview to draw attention to the erosion of the coalition behind the initiative. The development comes at a time when European nations are under increasing pressure to compensate for potential reductions in US military assistance to Ukraine.