Slovakia to contribute to Czech initiative to provide artillery shells to Ukraine

​​​​​​​By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - Slovakia will contribute to a Czech-led initiative to provide Ukraine with artillery shells, Slovakian media reported Wednesday.

“Slovakia, with its production potential, will make a significant contribution to the success of the initiative managed by the Czech Republic,” Slovak President Peter Pellegrini said during a meeting with his Czech counterpart, Petr Pavel, in Prague, according to the state-run TSAR news agency.

Noting that the country has significantly increased its ammunition production and repair capacity, he said a significant part of the artillery ammunition to be supplied will be repaired in Slovakian factories.

The initiative managed by the Czech Republic and sponsored by 15 EU and NATO states, has sought the acquisition of 500,000 155 mm artillery shells and 300,000 122 mm caliber shells for Ukraine.

Earlier this week, the Czech Republic announced the first shipment of shells under the initiative was sent to Ukraine. That was after Robert Fico, who took over as the Slovak prime minister in October 2023, cut off military aid to Ukraine though did not ban private companies from selling arms.

Prior to Fico, the country’s liberal government provided Ukraine with vast quantities of weapons and ammunition, including 13 MiG-29 fighter jets and the only S-300 anti-aircraft system the country had.

Last week, the Slovakian government sued former Defense Minister Yaroslav Nant for "treason" for leaving the country without an air defense.​​​​​​​