The Czech Republic will expand its programs to train Ukrainian military pilots and supply shells to Kiev, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Prague, Reuters reported, BTA reported.
Zelensky's visits to the Czech capital are linked to his efforts to unite Ukraine's European partners amid the US's drive to negotiate a ceasefire.
The Czech Republic, a strong supporter of Kiev, has led an initiative to provide shells to Ukraine with the financial support of a number of Western allies. Last year, Prague provided Kiev with about 1.5 million shells.
Fiala said today that since the beginning of 2025, Ukraine has received more than half a million shells. Zelensky and Czech President Petr Pavel announced yesterday that Ukraine could receive a total of 1.8 million shells this year.
Fiala said at a press conference with the Ukrainian leader that a well-armed Ukraine would be the best guarantor of security in Europe. The Czech prime minister noted that his country would expand its program to train Ukrainian pilots, including in flying F-16 fighter jets, without disclosing further details.
Although the Czech Republic does not have such fighter jets, it has provided Kiev with simulators for training helicopter pilots, Reuters notes.
Zelensky supported efforts to create a Ukrainian-Czech school to train F-16 pilots. "We are ready to implement this project as soon as possible," the Ukrainian leader stressed.
Zelensky noted at the beginning of his visit to Prague that a ceasefire with Russia could be declared at any moment. He called on Western allies to put more pressure on Moscow and added that US President Donald Trump agreed with his position that a 30-day ceasefire was the right step towards ending the war.