FM Macinka: President Pavel acted “like a bull in a china shop” by offering aircrafts to Ukraine

Foreign Minister Petr Macinka (Motorists) said President Petr Pavel acted “like a bull in a china shop” by publicly offering aircrafts and other equipment to Ukraine without consulting the governing coalition.

Speaking on Czech Television, Macinka criticised Pavel for raising the issue during a visit to Ukraine, where he offered several small aircrafts for drone defence, early-warning systems and energy generators. Macinka said coalition partners had not been informed and that by making the offer public the president not only stepped out of line of his duties as president, but also reduced the chances of it being approved.

President Petr Pavel rejected the criticism, saying it was Ukraine that proposed buying L-159 aircrafts, which he described as an opportunity for the Czech manufacturer. He made the comments to journalists ahead of his departure for the Vatican.

Coalition leaders from ANO, SPD and the Motorists are set to discuss the matter on Monday.