Fiala: Putin surprised by dogged Ukrainian resistance

The Czech prime minister, Petr Fiala, says that Vladimir Putin “definitely did not expect” the dogged resistance offered by Ukraine since Russia attacked it last week. Speaking on Czech Television, Mr. Fiala said a number of things gave him hope regarding the conflict, such as the clear and unequivocal response to Russia’s invasion.

The PM said that NATO could not intervene in the situation as this would mean war with Russia and a global conflict. But he said it was good that the Czech Republic was a member of NATO and the European Union and this would offer protection to the country.