According to the article, Slovaks have launched a crowdfunding campaign called "Ammunition for Ukraine" to raise funds for purchasing artillery ammunition for Ukraine, despite their Russia-friendly Prime Minister Robert Fico's refusal to provide military aid to Ukraine. The article states that some 46,000 individual donors have already raised nearly €2.9 million through the campaign.
The article highlights that the campaign aims to show that the Slovak government's position does not reflect the views of all Slovaks. Lucia Štasselová, a local councillor in Bratislava who helped set up the initiative, said that the initial goal of €1 million seemed far away, but after seeing the huge solidarity from Slovaks, they dare to think bigger.
"We will help Ukraine despite our pro-Russian government," says the slogan on the Ammunition for Ukraine campaign website, reflecting the determination of Slovak citizens to support Ukraine in defiance of their government's stance.
According to what is written in the article, the funds raised by the Slovak campaign will be channeled to an international initiative led by the Czech Republic to procure hundreds of thousands of artillery shells for Ukraine. The article mentions that while many EU countries have pledged financial support for the Czech initiative, the Slovak government has not joined the effort.
The article also notes that the price of a shell is around €3,500, meaning that the Slovak campaign has already covered the cost of more than 800 rounds. The average contribution works out to roughly €62, and the plan is to persuade donors to make regular contributions and push for international donations.
In conclusion, the article highlights the determination of Slovak citizens to support Ukraine despite their government's pro-Russian stance, demonstrating the power of grassroots initiatives in bypassing political barriers and providing much-needed military aid to Ukraine.
