Czech Republic supplies half a million artillery shells, Sweden continues to pump money in, Berlin forbids Kyiv from using German weapons to attack Russian territory.

On November 22, during a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha at the start of his official visit to Kyiv, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky pledged that Prague would continue to support Ukraine.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky speaks at a joint press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Andriiy Sybiha in Kyiv, Ukraine, on November 22. (Source: AP)

Mr. Lipavsky emphasized that the Czech Republic "is well aware of the challenges and difficult decisions awaiting Ukraine, but Ukraine will not be alone."

According to him, as part of a Czech-led ammunition initiative, 500,000 artillery shells will be delivered to Ukraine by the end of this year, and this initiative will continue.

The diplomat also reiterated that Prague supports Kyiv's accession to the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as it is "essential to ensure Ukraine's security."

Foreign Minister Lipavsky's visit took place a day after Russia launched one of its newest medium-range missiles, equipped with a non-nuclear warhead, into Ukraine. Both the Czech and Ukrainian foreign ministers called this an escalation and a show of force by Moscow.

Since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine (February 2022), the Czech Republic has remained one of Kyiv's biggest supporters and was also one of the first countries to supply Ukraine with heavy weapons.

In other related developments, despite strong warnings from Russian President Vladimir Putin, Sweden has affirmed that it will continue to provide military support to Ukraine, viewing it as an investment in its own security.

Speaking at a joint press conference on November 22nd with his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov in Stockholm, Swedish Defense Minister Pal Johnson strongly declared that his country would not succumb to actions from Moscow.

Along with this announcement, Sweden revealed a substantial aid package for Ukraine to purchase long-range missiles and drones.

Stockholm also expressed its readiness to support Kyiv in developing its capacity to produce long-range weapons.

Sweden's statement came just one day after President Putin accused the conflict in Ukraine of being "global," and criticized Western countries for allowing Ukraine to use its weapons to attack Russian territory.

Meanwhile, also on November 22, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reaffirmed his firm stance against supplying Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, while rejecting the possibility of allowing the use of German weapons to attack Russian territory.

Speaking at the Social Democratic Party (SPD) congress in Berlin, Scholz emphasized his stance against Ukraine possessing missiles capable of striking deep into Russian territory, asserting that he would not allow the use of any heavy military equipment supplied by Germany for this purpose.

According to the head of the German government, only the SPD party can maintain a balance between caution and support for Kyiv.

He also expressed his commitment to exercising restraint to avoid escalating the current tensions, especially as people are feeling anxious and insecure.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ho-tro-ukraine-czech-cap-nua-trieu-qua-dan-phao-thuy-dien-tiep-tuc-bom-tien-berlin-khong-cho-phep-kiev-dung-vu-khi-duc-tan-cong-lanh-tho-nga-294801.html