Senate hearing to address war in Ukraine, security and national defence

The Czech Senate will hold a public hearing on the “Security of Ukraine, Security of Europe and the State’s Defence Capability” on Tuesday, 24 February, the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

Senate Speaker Miloš Vystrčil will open and chair the session. President Petr Pavel is set to address the chamber in the afternoon.

The program is divided into five blocks, covering the citizen–state relationship, crisis management and the armed forces, the Czech Republic’s defence capability and cooperation with allies, the economy and supply chain security, and a concluding debate on national defence preparedness.

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has declined the invitation to attend the Senate hearing, telling reporters that he had more pressing work commitments.

Meanwhile, Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka will take part in an extraordinary session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York marking the anniversary, where he is set to deliver a speech. He will also attend a United Nations Security Council meeting on Ukraine convened by the British presidency.