Czech-Led Shells Program to Continue Under Babiš Without State Funding

Overview

• Denikn reported that the Prague-launched initiative to procure artillery shells for Ukraine will carry on under the new government.
• Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said the state budget will not finance the project and that further purchases hinge on contributions from other countries, speaking after a Paris meeting of coalition participants.
• He has shifted from earlier criticism over opacity to describing the effort as worthwhile, while insisting on transparency and anti-corruption safeguards.
• A session of the State Security Council is slated to address the program’s formal status and next steps.
• Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, warned that shipments containing weapons are lawful targets for Moscow, as U.S. officials held discussions in Paris with coalition members and Ukrainian representatives.