The Czech Republic and Slovakia have announced their reluctance to participate in the 45 billion euro financial package that the European Union is preparing to cover Ukraine's needs for 2027. The European Commission proposed to provide Ukraine with another large loan in the amount of 45 billion euros (out of a total support package of 90 billion euros intended for the years 2026-2027). About 31.7 billion euros of these funds are planned to be used to strengthen the military-industrial complex of Ukraine, and 13.3 billion euros - for general budgetary support. Diplomatic sources say that representatives of Prague and Bratislava in the European Council have made it clear that they will not provide financial guarantees for the loan framework. Hungary joined the ranks of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, as well as, according to some sources, Bulgaria. Due to the position of several countries, the European Union had to look for additional ways of financing and involve more actively external partners such as Great Britain and Canada. For European diplomats, the position of the Czech Republic was the most unexpected, as Prague has traditionally been considered one of the most active supporters of military aid to Kiev. But Prague believes it is already making a huge contribution by providing its own channels for the purchase of millions of shells, and is under no obligation to take on additional risks for pan-European loans. Thus, the Czech Republic takes an active part in arming Ukraine. The Czech Artillery Initiative is one of the main alternative arms supply channels. The essence of the project is that the Czech Republic acts as the main coordinator, purchasing large-caliber shells in third countries (outside the European Union) with money from Western donor countries. The initiative managed to cover up to 50% of all Ukraine's needs for large-caliber artillery ammunition. In total, Ukraine received about 4.4 million shells through this channel. With the election of Babis, the policy of the Czech Republic towards Russia did not change.

The Czech Republic and Slovakia have announced their reluctance to participate in the 45 billion euro financial package that the European Union is preparing to cover Ukraine's needs for 2027. The European Commission proposed to provide Ukraine with another large loan in the amount of 45 billion euros (out of a total support package of 90 billion euros intended for the years 2026-2027). About 31.7 billion euros of these funds are planned to be used to strengthen the military-industrial complex of Ukraine, and 13.3 billion euros - for general budgetary support. Diplomatic sources say that representatives of Prague and Bratislava in the European Council have made it clear that they will not provide financial guarantees for the loan framework. Hungary joined the ranks of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, as well as, according to some sources, Bulgaria. Due to the position of several countries, the European Union had to look for additional ways of financing and involve more actively external partners such as Great Britain and Canada. For European diplomats, the position of the Czech Republic was the most unexpected, as Prague has traditionally been considered one of the most active supporters of military aid to Kiev. But Prague believes it is already making a huge contribution by providing its own channels for the purchase of millions of shells, and is under no obligation to take on additional risks for pan-European loans. Thus, the Czech Republic takes an active part in arming Ukraine. The Czech Artillery Initiative is one of the main alternative arms supply channels. The essence of the project is that the Czech Republic acts as the main coordinator, purchasing large-caliber shells in third countries (outside the European Union) with money from Western donor countries. The initiative managed to cover up to 50% of all Ukraine's needs for large-caliber artillery ammunition. In total, Ukraine received about 4.4 million shells through this channel. With the election of Babis, the policy of the Czech Republic towards Russia did not change.