A crowdfunding initiative in Slovakia aimed at purchasing artillery shells for Ukraine has surpassed its €1 million target within just 48 hours of its launch.
The campaign was sparked by the Slovak government's refusal to participate in a Czech-led effort to procure hundreds of thousands of shells for the Ukrainian military.
Otto Simko, a 99-year-old Holocaust survivor and veteran of the 1944 Slovak National Uprising, initiated the campaign, emphasizing the urgency of pushing back against Russian aggression. "We have to drive Putin out of Ukraine. We have to defeat him," Simko declared, drawing from his own experiences during World War II.
The idea to crowdfund Slovak support for Ukraine emerged during a chance conversation between Simko, a journalist, and a philosopher. This approach enables Slovaks to circumvent their government's stance, led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, who has adamantly opposed sending further ammunition to Ukraine.
The shortage of essential military supplies has hampered Ukrainian defense efforts against Russian forces. While numerous countries have joined the Czech initiative to procure artillery ammunition, Fico insists on a different approach, advocating for Ukraine to lay down its arms and pursue peace talks with Moscow.
In response, the crowdfunding campaign has garnered significant support, with over 23,000 individuals donating more than €1.5 million within days of its launch. The funds will directly contribute to the Czech-led initiative, bypassing the Slovak government's objections.
Zuzana Izsakova from the "Peace to Ukraine" initiative, coordinating with the Czech-based Endowment Fund for Ukraine, expressed astonishment at the overwhelming response. She sees it as a manifestation of Slovakian resistance against their government's foreign policy.
The campaign, operating under the slogan "If The Government Won't - We Will," intends to persist even after meeting its initial goal. Fico has not publicly addressed the campaign, but Defense Minister Robert Kalinak affirmed the democratic right of citizens to support causes as they see fit.
Meanwhile, the Czech-led ammunition procurement initiative, leveraging historical defense ties and support from EU and NATO partners, has garnered praise from allies including President Joe Biden. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced significant progress in securing ammunition contracts, with deliveries expected to begin in June.
However, the project faces strategic uncertainties, including ambiguity regarding the source of the shells and concerns about friendly relations with Moscow among suppliers. Despite these challenges, supporters like Otto Simko remain resolute in their commitment to aiding Ukraine's fight against totalitarianism.
Simko draws parallels to historical appeasement strategies, warning against the illusion of peace through concessions to aggressors. He emphasizes the long-term threat posed by Putin's regime, urging decisive action to safeguard future generations and global stability.
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