Zeman: Russian invasion of Ukraine “crime against peace”

The Czech president, Miloš Zeman, has called Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a “crime against peace”. In an address to the nation on Thursday morning, the head of state said madmen needed to be isolated and that it was time for much tougher sanctions than previously agreed to be imposed on Russia, including cutting the country out of the SWIFT international banking mechanism.

Mr. Zeman said he had been mistaken in recently saying he believed Russia would not attack Ukraine, calling the Kremlin’s move “irrational”.

He said he supported Ukraine and its people.