Slovak crowdfunders raise nearly 2 million euros for Ukraine ammunition drive

Slovaks angered by their government's refusal to give military aid to Ukraine's fight against Russian invasion have raised nearly 2 million euros ($2.13 million) and counting this week, in a drive to help supply ammunition to Kyiv.

Slovaks angered by their government's refusal to give military aid to Ukraine's fight against Russian invasion have raised nearly 2 million euros ($2.13 million) and counting this week, in a drive to help supply ammunition to Kyiv. Ammunition supplies are a pressing need for Ukraine after two years of all-out war. But Slovakia has refused to participate in a plan led by the Czech government to buy hundreds of thousands of artillery ammunition rounds for Ukraine that at least 15 allies have joined.

"When I heard about the Czech government's initiative, I was very pleased to hear that all ways are being sought to help Ukraine defend itself against the (Russian) aggressor, because there is no other way," said Otto Simko, a 99-year-old Holocaust survivor and journalist who helped spearhead the Slovak crowdfunding campaign. Slovakia halted state military aid to Ukraine last year, arguing the conflict did not have a military solution, and Prime Minister Robert Fico has echoed Moscow's calls for peace talks.

Ukraine says it will fight until Russian troops withdraw. Simko said in a video posted on the crowdfunders' YouTube page that Russia needed to be expelled from Ukraine so that "peace can be spoken of on terms that suit Ukrainian independence".

Fundraisers say the campaign is aimed at showing a majority do not agree with the government's shift in foreign policy since September's election. Previous governments had provided air defence and fighter jets to Kyiv, whereas Fico's foreign minister met his Russian counterpart in March - a rare high-level meeting involving Moscow and a European Union member.

"Many people in Slovakia are ashamed of the government's orientation to Russia. This is the reason people are contributing," said Zuzana Izsakova from the Peace for Ukraine (Mier Ukrajine) civil group, an organiser. The "Ammunition for Ukraine" drive had raised 1.94 million euros after four days by midday on Friday, with more than 30,000 contributors, making an average donation of 64 euros, according to the initiative's website.

Izsakova said fundraising would be open-ended, with proceeds going to the Czech ammunition drive, from which the first deliveries to Ukraine are expected in June. "We will do everything we can so the people of Slovakia can fulfil their intention of helping Ukraine," Czech TV cited Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala as saying on Thursday while in Brussels for an EU summit. ($1 = 0.9395 euros)

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)