Babiš reportedly blocks Hamáček Moscow trip to discuss Sputnik V

A planned trip to Moscow on Monday by Czech interior minister and acting foreign minister Jan Hamáček will not take place, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš confirmed on Friday evening. The news site iDnes.cz had earlier reported that Mr. Babiš had put the kibosh on the trip, during which Mr. Hamáček was due to discuss possible deliveries of the Russian-made Covid-19 vaccine Sputnik V once it wins EU approval.

Both the prime minister and members of the opposition had criticised Mr. Hamáček’s planned mission, with Mr. Babiš saying vaccines were not part of his agenda.

On Saturday Mr. Hamáček said he was not going to the Russian capital as he needed to attend a cabinet meeting in Prague.