The Czech political party ANO, which won the recent parliamentary elections, has no plans to cancel the country’s landmark ammunition initiative for Ukraine, despite calls for tighter oversight and transparency, Czech outlet Novinky reported on October 7.
Party leader Andrej Babiš described the initiative as “a generally good idea,” though he argued it should be reviewed and possibly placed under NATO supervision.
“The ammunition initiative was in principle a good idea, but solar panels were too once, and that cost us 800 billion,” Babiš said. “We’ll discuss it, and we demand greater transparency and review, possibly transferring it under NATO.”
Potential Defense Minister Lubomír Metnar confirmed that ANO does not intend to stop the program.
“We’re not talking about halting the ammunition initiative, but about a thorough review. Transparency is needed,” he said. According to Metnar, the goal is not to weaken Ukraine but to ensure proper oversight of funds and supplies.
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President Petr Pavel warned that abandoning the program would go against Czech national interests and damage the country’s international reputation.
He called the initiative so effective that “even Russia is forced to acknowledge its impact.” Pavel stressed that halting support would not only diminish Czech credibility but also “lead to more victims of Russian terror.”
Within the SPD party, which also entered parliament, opinions are split—some members support continued aid to Ukraine, while the leadership calls for a full reassessment.
SPD MP Radovan Vích, a reserve colonel and defense specialist, said the movement supports humanitarian help but opposes further arms deliveries. “We want to promote peace talks and diplomacy instead of escalating the conflict,” he said.
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The future shape of the Czech ammunition initiative could become a key political battleground. The program, launched to procure and deliver vital artillery shells to Ukraine, has earned Prague strong international respect among Kyiv’s allies. Analysts warn that scaling it back could see another country take over leadership—a move that would cost Czechia both prestige and influence.
President Pavel emphasized that the program’s success directly strengthens the Czech credibility.
“This is about our trustworthiness toward Ukraine, which literally depends on these ammunition deliveries,” he said. “Ending this support would harm us most of all — and it would cost more Ukrainian lives.”
Earlier, reports emerged that Czechia would supply Ukraine with at least 1.5 million large-caliber rounds by the end of 2025 and continue training Ukrainian pilots on modern fighter jets.
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