Slovak activists raised more than 2.6 million euros ($2.8 million) for the Czech ammunition project to Ukraine in five days after the Slovak government refused to participate.
The Slovak people started the campaign.”Ammunition for Ukraine” on April 16 raised additional funds for a Czech-led effort to purchase 500,000 155mm shells and 300,000 122mm shells outside Europe and deliver them to Ukraine.
Ukraine's military is in crisis Ammo shortageRussia is currently bombarding it. Approximately 10:1 ratioPresident Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on April 16th.
Since then, many countries, including: Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Canada, PolandFrance, Denmark and Slovenia funded the effort.
Otto Simko, a 99-year-old Holocaust survivor and journalist, is one of the founders of the Slovak crowdfunding campaign.
“When I heard about the Czech government's efforts, I was very happy to hear that Ukraine is exploring every possible way to protect itself from the (Russian) invaders, because there is no other way,” Simko said. he said. Reuters.
According to the Ammunition for Ukraine website, nearly 40,000 Slovaks have donated to the initiative, with an average donation amounting to 64 euros (about 6,800 yen).
Activists said the campaign aimed to show that the majority of Slovaks do not support the government's change in foreign policy since elections in September.
“Many people in Slovakia are ashamed of the government's pro-Russia. This is why people donate,” said Zuzana Isakova, one of the organizers.
In late March, Slovakia's Foreign Minister Juraj Branár said Slovakia had no intention of sending weapons to Ukraine because “there is no military solution to the conflict.”
This position reflected that of Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto. Hungary, the only EU country to maintain close ties with the Kremlin since the start of all-out war, also refused to join the initiative.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala reported on April 15th: first 180,000 Ammunition for Ukraine has already been contracted as part of this plan and will be sent to the front lines in the coming months.
This initiative could be realized as follows 1.5 million bulletsCzech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavski said this in an interview with Bloomberg published on March 26.
The Czech foreign minister did not say when the shells would be delivered, but Czech national security adviser Tomas Pojar said earlier that the first rounds could be sent to the following countries: Ukraine as early as June.
Czech Prime Minister: Allies contract first 180,000 shells for Ukraine
Czech President Petr Pavel announced in February that the Czech Republic had identified 500,000 155mm shells and 300,000 122mm shells that the Czech Republic could purchase outside Europe and send to Ukraine after the necessary funds were allocated. .
