Czechia ready to take in refugees in case of Ukraine-Russia conflict

The Czech Republic is ready to take in refugees coming from the Ukraine if the current Ukrainian-Russian tensions were to boil over into a conflict, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on Monday after a meeting of the State Security Council. No other step regarding specific material help is currently being planned. However, the Czech Republic is ready to react to requests if they come, he said. The Czech Republic sent over 4,000 artillery rounds to Ukraine in January.

Czechia is also ready to help Slovakia and send a contingent of policement over its border into Ukraine, according to the Czech prime minister. In case of a conflict, the country intends to primarily focus on offering humanitarian support, Interior Ministry spokesman Ondřej Krátoška said. Meanwhile, according to the deputy chair of the Czech Association of Exporters, Otto Daněk, the prospect of a conflict has led to Czech businesses being more cautious about trading and investments.

The Security Council meeting was held in reaction to information from the United States, sent to its NATO allies, that Russia may be planning an attack to comence on Wednesday.