Ukraine will receive the first batch of artillery shells purchased by Western allies under the Czech initiative in June. This was announced by Czech President Petr Pavel in an interview with German ARD.

“Our Prime Minister Petr Fiala and I assume that the first batch of nearly 180,000 units of ammunition will be delivered in June, and subsequent contracts will be signed for a five- to six-figure number of shells,” he said.

The main reason for the delay in deliveries, he said, was competition, as they had to openly talk about the initiative to urgently search for shells to attract as many countries as possible. But by doing so, Kyiv's partners “revealed their cards,” which Russia took advantage of.

The Czech president said that Russia is “much stronger than Ukraine,” and despite the support of Western countries, the moment is approaching “when human resources and support among Ukrainians will increasingly limit the country's efforts.” Therefore, he emphasized, it is important to support Ukraine in every possible way so that it can make it clear to Russia that there is no point in continuing the war, as Moscow will not achieve any success on the battlefield.

“As long as Russia has any hope of success, it has no reason to conduct peace talks,” Petr Pavel summarized.