PRESS RELEASE : President of Ukraine met with the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic in Kyiv [October 2022]

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 31 October 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala who is in our country on a visit.

Welcoming Petr Fiala to Kyiv, the Head of State noted the importance of this visit, as it is taking place at a time when Ukraine is facing Russian attacks on civil infrastructure, in particular on energy facilities.

“50 Russian missiles only this morning. The Prime Minister personally saw what such terror means and what damage it does to Ukraine, namely to our civilian population. I thank you, Petr, for the assistance already provided to our state, for your willingness to increase support to overcome the consequences of Russian terror, and for your willingness to increase pressure on the Russian Federation, which erases itself from international relations with its terror every day,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during communication with media representatives following the meeting with the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic.

The President of Ukraine stated that Russia deliberately resorts to escalation, and this escalation of aggression deserves a tough reaction from the whole world, both at the national level and at the level of international organizations and associations of states.

“Russia should have no place in the G20, the UN and other structures that were created specifically to protect peace and cooperation between nations. It is obvious that Russia just exploits all such structures cynically to cover up its crimes. Any criminal must bear responsibility for what he has committed,” he emphasized.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that during today’s meeting with Petr Fiala, steps were coordinated to increase sanctions against the Russian Federation for terror and bring it to justice.

“That is, the creation of a special tribunal regarding the crime of Russian aggression against Ukraine and an international compensation mechanism that will ensure compensation for all damages caused by the Russian war at the expense of Russian assets,” the President said.

The parties also discussed defense cooperation, which will be increased. Separately, they focused on strengthening anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense, as well as protection against drones, which Russian terrorists have acquired from their accomplices in Iran.

“When we, together with our partners, ensure 100 percent protection of the Ukrainian sky, it will become one of the fundamental guarantees of the new European security system, as it will deprive Russia of a significant part of its escalation capabilities,” the Head of State emphasized.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Petr Fiala also discussed the involvement of the Czech Republic in the training of Ukrainian defenders and the projects for the production and repair of military equipment.

“This increases the defense of Ukraine, gives new strength to the Czech Republic, and also provides the Czech Republic with new jobs and technological opportunities,” noted the President of Ukraine.

In addition, the parties discussed in detail the issue of rebuilding Ukraine and the needs to eliminate the consequences of the destruction caused by Russian terror.

“We appreciate the approval of the government program in the Czech Republic regarding the restoration of our country, as well as the readiness to take patronage over the Dnipropetrovsk region. And I thank the Czech Republic for its readiness to work now to restore specific objects destroyed or damaged by Russian terrorists,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The parties also discussed the entire spectrum of interaction within the European Union, as the Czech Republic currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

“I thank the Czech Republic for supporting Ukraine in the matter of allocation of European macro-financial aid for our country. And also for real assistance to our European integration process. I hope that at the stage of the Czech Presidency we will see an assessment by the European Commission of Ukraine’s implementation of the seven recommendations that were given to us, and clarity regarding the start of negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU,” the Head of State said.

The President of Ukraine noted the meaningfulness and usefulness of the negotiations for both peoples.

“The role of the Czech Republic, the role of Prague in protecting peace and people who suffered from the war, has already become historically important. And this is exactly what Ukraine recognized with the special title conferred upon the city of Prague – “Rescuer City”. Once again, thank you very much for your support,” he said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also awarded Petr Fiala with the Order of Yaroslav the Wise of the I degree, which the Prime Minister received for his outstanding personal contribution to the development of Ukrainian-Czech interstate cooperation, support for the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

“I want this order to symbolize the historical significance of our relations – the relations between Ukraine and the Czech Republic, Ukraine and Europe, which have been achieved thanks to your efforts, Mr. Prime Minister, dear Petr. My congratulations,” the Head of State emphasized.

The President of Ukraine thanked the Czech people, who are holding rallies in support of Ukraine and the common European values of the two peoples.

“On the eve of the Prime Minister’s visit, just such a rally took place in Prague – tens of thousands of people took to the square. And I thank everyone who came to this square to remind us that Europe must be brave, must be genuine and can really win this confrontation. And I’m sure it will prevail. When Europeans are together, no one will be able to take away our freedom – the freedom of everyone on the continent,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

For his part, Petr Fiala noted that today’s massive shelling of Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, which coincided with his visit, clearly demonstrates what Ukrainians are going through every day and how urgent concrete steps and actions to support Ukraine are.

The Prime Minister of the Czech Republic noted the courage of the Ukrainian people in defending democratic values, freedom and territorial integrity of their state.

“We will continue to support Ukraine, because we see: in the east of Ukraine, Russia’s actions are becoming more aggressive and Russia’s policy is becoming more aggressive. It is shown, inter alia, in attacks on energy infrastructure, which we observe in particular today. These are moments that concern not only the military – it concerns civilians who are suffering,” said Petr Fiala.

In this context, he emphasized the importance of providing military, humanitarian, and economic assistance to Ukraine.

“For Ukraine to have a clear prospect of joining Western structures – NATO and the European Union,” the Prime Minister noted and added that the Czech Republic is a partner that Ukraine can rely on in these matters.

Petr Fiala assured that our country will be a priority during the Czech Presidency in the EU and the steps taken by Ukraine will be welcomed in all the bodies of the European Union.