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Fifteen EU and NATO countries have contributed more than EUR 1.6 billion (CZK 39.5 billion) to the Czech shells-for Ukraine initiative, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said at a joint press briefing with a group of EU leaders in Prague on Tuesday. The first tens of thousands of 155 mm calibre ammunition will arrive in Ukraine in the course of June, and the country can expect the first shipment in the next few days, the prime minister said.

The Czech prime minister hosted a work dinner for a group of EU leaders and the prime minister of Ukraine aimed at coordinating and strengthening aid to Ukraine in the face of continuing Russian aggression. The meeting was attended by the prime misters of the Netherlands, Denmark and Latvia, as well as Polish President Andrej Duda and US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien.

President Duda said this was a crucial moment in the conflict and Europe must do everything to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s aggression. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said his country would deliver parts of a Patriot air defense system to Ukraine.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal thanked Prime Minister Fiala for calling the meeting, saying his country “is and will remain the shield of Europe”. He stressed the importance of the Czech shells-for Ukraine initiative, adding that it was vital for the ammunition to reach the front line as soon as possible.

Karlovy Vary International Film Festival has unveiled the official selection for its 58th edition, which will offer 32 films in the main program, almost half of them debuts. Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush, who was awarded the Crystal Globe in Karlovy Vary two years ago, will sit on the jury this year, together with producer Christine Vachon, director Gábor Reisz, poet and novelist Sjón and actress Eliška Křenková.

Czech cinematography will have two representatives in the main competition – Tiny Lights by director Beata Parkanová and Adam Martinec's feature debut Pig Slaughter.

The festival opens on June 28 and will close with a gala award ceremony on July 6.

Regional elections and the first round of elections to a third of the Senate will be held together on September 20-21, the Office of the President announced on its website. The second round of Senate elections is expected to take place a week later. The date of elections is traditionally announced by the head of state and countersigned by the prime minister. Parties and movements will have until mid-July to nominate their candidates for both elections. The legal deadline for nominations ends on 16 July.

Czech President Petr Pavel is on a two-day state visit to Jordan, where he will be received by King Abdullah II, and meet with Prime Minister Bisher Hasavna and parliament deputies on Wednesday. Shortly after arriving in Amman the Czech president handed over a consignment of humanitarian aid, which the Jordanian authorities will distribute to civilians in the Gaza Strip and equipment for local hospitals including positioning and transport beds from Linet and incubators for neonatal wards. He also met with Czech ophthalmologists working in Jordan in the MEDEVAC medical programme.

Mr. Pavel spoke with the King of Jordan by telephone a month ago about the developments in the Middle East and about the possibilities for providing humanitarian aid for Gaza.