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The international credit rating agency Fitch has revised its assessment of Czechia’s economy. Fitch has maintained the country’s AA- rating, which is one level below the highest possible level, but revised its outlook from negative to stable.

According to the company, Czechia has navigated the successive pandemic and energy price shocks without lasting effects on the long-term macroeconomic outlook, despite weaker growth in the short term.  Heightened uncertainty has receded thanks to the government’s policy measures focused on stability, says Fitch.

Thousands of Czechs marked the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine with commemorative events, marches, rallies and fundraisers taking place all around the country on Saturday.

In Prague, thousands of people gathered on Old Town Square on Saturday afternoon to support the Ukrainian struggle against Russian aggression.

President Petr Pavel held an opening speech, in which he said the goal of the war was not to defeat Russia, but to get it out of Ukraine and allow it to develop freely. According to the president, the West has no choice but to support Ukraine if it doesn’t want Vladimir Putin's vision of the world to prevail.

Apart from thanking the volunteers, Mr. Pavel also expressed pride that Czechia was among the first to start helping Ukraine with arms and ammunition supplies. The participants of the event observed a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the war in Ukraine

The day culminated with a concert at Prague’s Forum Karlín, which got underway after 5 p.m. The proceeds of the concert will be used for the purchase of medical equipment for the Ukrainian army.

Commemorative events and meetings were also held in other Czech towns and cities, including Brno, Olomouc, Pilsen, Litoměřice and České Budějovice.

Over two-thirds of Czechs would support a quick end to the war in Ukraine, even at the cost of Russia keeping part of Ukraine's territory, according to a survey by the STEM agency. The percentage of people who would support an end to the conflict even at this price has increased slightly since last year. However, according to the same survey, the majority of Czechs still support Ukrainian refugees staying in their country.

Saturday could see some showers in the morning but will dry up by the afternoon. There should also be some sunshine in the morning but it will get more overcast later in the day. Daytime temperatures should range between 3 and 10 degrees Celsius.