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The Czech Republic does not recognize the result of Crimea’s referendum Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka reiterated on Monday, saying the result went against Ukraine’s constitution and against the 1994 treaty guaranteeing Ukraine’s modern borders. The referendum, he stressed, was irregular, not allowing international observers and having taken place under a marked Russian military presence. The result has likewise been rejected by the European Union and the United States, who agreed to impose sanctions. On Monday, the Czech government expressed agreement that part of the EU association agreement be signed with Ukraine by the end of the week.

Czech President Miloš Zeman reacted on Monday to Crimea’s referendum, saying the vote contravened Ukraine’s constitution but suggesting the result should lead to the greater autonomy of Crimea, spokesman Jiří Ovčáček said. The spokesman pointed out the president's view on Crimea's autonomy was similar to that of former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger (who oulined his position in a recent Washington Post opinion piece). In the referendum result on Sunday, the vast majority of Crimean voters chose the option to rejoin Russia. The Crimean Parliament on Monday formally declared Crimea’s independence, asking to join the Russian Federation. The US and the European Union have called the referendum illegal and have agreed to impose sanctions against Russia for intervening in Ukraine.

Residents were evacuated from an apartment building in the West Bohemian city of Plzeň on Sunday night following a gas explosion, a spokesperson for the local fire service told the Czech News Agency. One person was hospitalised after being injured in the blast, the cause of which is as yet unknown. Local authorities have organised temporary housing for 14 people who were forced to leave their homes and are now awaiting the result of an examination of the building by engineers.

The Czech priest and academic Tomáš Halík says he will put most of the CZK 36 million he received this week with Templeton Prize into initiatives involved in interfaith dialogue and dialogue between believers and atheists. His involvement in such discourse was one reason that he received the religious award. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Monsignor Halík said he had a concrete project in mind to donate the money to. He will also give some of the monetary award to charity. Previous winners of the Templeton Prize include the Dalai Lama and Bishop Desmond Tutu.