Germany has pledged to supply Ukraine with 180,000 artillery shells, participating in a Czech Republic-led initiative to procure ammunition for Ukraine, at a cost of 576 million euros ($618 million), as announced by the German defense ministry.
This support comes as Ukraine faces a critical shortage of artillery ammunition amidst ongoing heavy combat and entrenched positions along a 1,000-km (620-mile) battlefront, two years following Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Additionally, last month, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius unveiled an aid package worth 478 million euros for Ukraine, separate from the Czech ammunition project.
Combining these efforts, the total German financial aid to Ukraine exceeds one billion euros, as confirmed by a ministry spokesperson to Reuters.
The initiative led by the Czech Republic has attracted additional countries, aiming to gather hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds for Ukraine from sources outside of Europe.
Germany and Finland have agreed to continue their support for Ukraine amidst its conflict with Russia. In a recent phone conversation, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Finnish President Alexander Stubb emphasized the importance of ongoing financial and military equipment support for Ukraine.
This agreement reflects a shared commitment to European security and underscores the strengthening ties between Germany, Finland, and NATO, particularly following Finland’s recent accession to the alliance.
After more than two years since the onset of the Russian war against Ukraine, European ministers and international investigators will deliberate on the advanced situation of war crimes trials in The Hague, Netherlands.
Ukraine, its allies, and the European Commission are keen on ensuring that suspected war criminals are brought to justice.
The issue of how to prosecute Russia for the crime of aggression will also be discussed. A special court may be established for this purpose. Furthermore, the conference will see the first claims for compensation on behalf of the victims being recorded.
