Zelensky in Prague: “We see Czech aid as a joint fight against terrorism”
Ukrainian President Zelensky arrived in Czechia with his wife Olena on Sunday and held talks with President Petr Pavel. On Monday, he met with Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Senate President Miloš Vystrčil, Speaker Markéta Pekarová Adamová, and arms manufacturers.
On Sunday, President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Petr Pavel discussed the situation in Ukraine, the prospects for peace talks, and other forms of assistance. Pavel stated that he and his counterpart were in broad agreement on the issue of support for Ukraine.
“For us, the situation has not changed over the past three years. It remains the same. If Russia wins this war, it will have serious negative effects on us directly. If Russia is rewarded for its actions, its behavior will be reinforced. It will signal to them that the way Russia conducts international relations is acceptable and it will continue to act this way. Therefore, it is in our interest that, when peace talks begin, the aggressor is not rewarded and the victim is not punished.”
In his talks with Zelensky on Sunday, Pavel also said that it is not currently possible to deploy foreign troops in Ukraine before a peace agreement is reached.
The Ukrainian head of state stressed that Czechia was doing everything it could to help stop Russian aggression and praised the Czech munitions initiative. Under this initiative, Ukraine could receive up to 1.8 million additional rounds of large-caliber ammunition over the course of the year.
Pavel reaffirmed that Czechia would continue to support Ukraine in its efforts to join both the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
“We will support Ukraine in its ambition for membership in the EU and NATO because we believe it is right for a country with which we share values and long-term strategic interests to have access to the same coalitions as us and the same opportunities we had in the 1990s.”
Zelensky also expressed Ukraine’s appreciation for Czech support toward its European aspirations. He lamented that some European leaders were obstructing the process and stressed that Ukraine needs stronger sanctions against Russia, sustained support, and a significant increase in mutual defense cooperation across Europe.
Zelensky told reporters after a meeting with the Chamber of Deputies on Monday that Ukraine views Czech assistance in the fight against Russian aggression—including the ammunition initiative—as part of a shared struggle against terrorism. The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Markéta Pekarová Adamová stated that by managing to halt Russian aggression, Ukrainian soldiers had saved all of Europe from it.
“The president warmly welcomed our support for Ukraine in many areas, not only in the form of the [Czech] Ammunition Initiative, which will continue and is crucial for Ukraine on the battlefield but also in thanking us for our humanitarian support, particularly in relation to health care.”
After the meetings in the Chamber of Deputies, the Ukrainian president met with Prime Minister Petr Fiala. At a press briefing following the talks, Fiala said that he assured the Ukrainian president and his delegation that Czechia will continue to stand firmly on Ukraine's side in its fight against Russian aggression and expressed gratitude to Czech citizens for their help to Ukraine:
“We admire the courage and perseverance of the Ukrainian people throughout the course of Russian aggression. I would also like to express our admiration and support here as well. At the same time, I would like to thank the Czech citizens for supporting Ukraine since the beginning of the aggression, for helping Ukraine through their own collections and activities, and for supporting Czech policy in aiding Ukraine and countering Russia's aggressive policies.”
Zelensky visited Prague after two years, this time accompanied by his wife Olena. One of the main items on her agenda is the Monday conference, Healthcare Initiative for Ukraine.
Representatives of both countries signed a memorandum of cooperation in mental health care on Sunday. The project aims to bring significant changes in research and the development of public mental health care in Ukraine.
