Former Czech FM Tomáš Petříček warns: “Selling Ukraine is an illusion”
Former Czech Foreign Minister Tomáš Petříček reflects on the state of Czech democracy, constitutional norms and Europe’s security challenges. In a new episode of Czechast, he warns against undermining judicial independence and against illusions about Russia’s war in Ukraine. He also shares what years in politics taught him about compromise.
Democratic institutions across Europe are under pressure. Czechia is no exception.
In the latest episode of Czechast, former Czech Foreign Minister Tomáš Petříček — now an academic and adviser on foreign policy to President Petr Pavel — reflects on the state of Czech democracy, constitutional norms and Europe’s evolving security environment.
At a time when debates over presidential powers and constitutional limits have resurfaced in Czech public life, Petříček is unequivocal about the importance of institutional boundaries.
“First of all, it is not a role of politician to interpret our Constitution. That's why we have Constitutional Court and to try to delegitimize the independence of the Supreme Court in our country, it's quite dangerous. I think that we have a separation of powers for some reasons. And the judiciary needs to stay independent from the political influences and a political interference.” His warning comes amid renewed discussions about the balance between political authority and judicial independence — a theme that resonates far beyond Czech borders.
Yet Petříček’s reflections go deeper than institutional design. After more than a decade in public life — from trainee at the European Parliament to Minister of Foreign Affairs — he says the core lesson of politics is often misunderstood.
“Politics is about compromise, and that's probably also frustrating because people want that what they expect from politicians will be 100% met by politicians. But it is never the case because you have to compromise. Our society is very diverse. You have different interests, different opinions on everything.” Compromise, he argues, is not weakness. It is the essence of democratic governance in a pluralistic society.
The conversation also turns to the defining geopolitical crisis of the past years: Russia’s war against Ukraine. Nearly three years into the full-scale invasion — and more than a decade after the annexation of Crimea — Petříček believes Czech society is still wrestling with what the conflict truly means.
“I think we are struggling with it still. We have people among us who believe that it is not our problem, that we are not facing any serious threat, that if we sell Ukraine, we might live in peace. I'm afraid that it's illusion.” He warns that complacency could prove dangerous. Europe, he argues elsewhere in the interview, grew accustomed to decades of relative peace and prosperity — and adjusting to a more volatile world is psychologically difficult.
The discussion also touches on Czech Euroscepticism, public trust in institutions and Europe’s economic competitiveness. Petříček pushes back against what he calls “gloom and doom” narratives about Europe’s decline, arguing that the continent still possesses talent, capital and technological strength — but must overcome fragmentation and risk aversion.
Throughout the interview, one theme recurs: democratic resilience depends not only on laws and institutions, but also on civic responsibility and political maturity.
about programme
Czechast, Radio Prague International
Czechast is a regular RPI podcast about Czech and Moravian culture, history, and economy.
