Defense Minister: Czech troops could join peacekeeping mission in Ukraine

The Czech Republic is ready to consider deploying Czech soldiers in international peacekeeping units in Ukraine, once a ceasefire is in place, Defense Minister Jana Černochová (SPOLU) said on Thursday. She stressed that no such request has yet been made adding that any participation would depend on the decisions of the “Coalition of the Willing” of which Czechia is a member. The Czech Army could, for example, contribute to the training of Ukrainian troops or support demining operations, she said.

The minister was responding to a statement made earlier by President Petr Pavel, who in an interview with ČTK, noted that if peacekeeping forces are established in Ukraine, the Czech Republic “could and should” take part, given its active role in the peace process and its longstanding support for Ukraine since the outset of Russia’s invasion.