Zelensky in Prague for two-day visit to discuss munition needs

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena arrived in Prague on Sunday for a two-day visit.

They were received by Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský at the airport, the minister said on X, posting a photo of himself shaking Zelensky's hand on the airfield in front of a Ukrainian government plane.

Zelensky was due to meet President Petr Pavel and Prime Minister Petr Fiala at Prague Castle, with a Czech artillery initiative aimed at supplying Ukraine with munitions expected to be high on the agenda.

According to the Czech Republic, 400,000 rounds of artillery ammunition have already been delivered to Ukraine from other countries through the initiative in the first four months of 2025.

The aim is to provide a total of around 1.5 million rounds by the end of the year - the same amount as in 2024.

Numerous EU and NATO partners are involved in financing the initiative.

The medieval castle, which sits atop a hill across the Vltava River from the city centre, is the official residence of the president.

Usually open to visitors, the entire castle grounds have been closed off due to Zelensky's second-ever visit to the country.

Czech President Pavel, a former NATO general, visited the Ukrainian port city of Odessa in March.