Controversy surrounds the Czech delivery of ammunition to Ukraine, sparking domestic criticism
The Czech Republic has taken a significant step in supporting Ukraine, coordinating the delivery of 1.5 million rounds of large-caliber ammunition with financial contributions from 14 countries. This initiative, which began in 2024 in response to U.S. delays in sending shells to Ukraine, has been a topic of debate within the Czech government and among its citizens.
Aleš Vytečka, head of the Intergovernmental Defense Cooperation Agency, emphasised the government's aim for transparency but noted that some information must remain confidential. The initiative, known as Darek pro Putina, collects Western donations of ammunition and also buys shells on the global market.
However, not everyone in the Czech Republic is in favour of this initiative. Andrej Babiš, leader of the ANO party, has criticised it as costing too much taxpayer money. ANO deputy chair Karel Havlíček has called the initiative 'inappropriate' and suggested it be managed at the NATO level.
The ammunition effort has gained significant political clout for the Czech Republic, according to Martin Vokalek, head of the Brussels office of Czech think tank Europeum. Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský has warned that halting the initiative would be a gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Jitka Latal Znamenackova, the outgoing Czech permanent representative to the EU's Political and Security Committee, said that Prague's ammunition initiative has earned it credit in Brussels and established the Czech Republic as a constructive country that can find compromises between member states.
A June poll by the Stem organization showed that 49 percent of Czechs felt the support for Ukraine was too much. Public suspicion towards the war in Ukraine has grown in the Czech Republic, with many questioning the point of sending military aid. Jiri Taborsky, an analyst with Stem, noted this growing suspicion.
If Babis carries out his threat to end the ammunition initiative, Ukraine's other Western partners will need to contribute more, warned Martin Vokalek. Vytecka expressed optimism that Czechs are willing to continue contributing to the war and supporting Ukraine, citing the large amount of crowdfunded donations for military aid.
Pavel, a government official, said he cannot guarantee the continuity of Czech policy on Ukraine, as that depends on the outcome of the October election. The ANO party, led by former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, is leading the polls ahead of the October 2025 Czech parliamentary elections, with about 33% support according to recent surveys. Support for ANO has declined slightly since February but it remains the clear favourite, followed by the SPOLU coalition under Prime Minister Petr Fiala with around 20%.
The Czech government, under Prime Minster Petr Fiala, has defended the ammunition initiative. Despite the controversy, it seems the Czech Republic's generosity towards Ukraine, rooted in the country's historical memory, is a testament to its commitment to stand against aggression and uphold democratic values.
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