Former Czech Member of Parliament Lubomír Volný has sparked significant controversy in Ostrava.

In his hometown, he put up several billboards featuring a photograph of himself shaking hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The accompanying message reads: “Russia is not an enemy, Russia is an opportunity.” Volný shared the move on his Facebook page on Tuesday, April 8.

In his post, Volný elaborated on his reasoning, stating, “Russia is not an enemy; it is an opportunity to solve energy poverty. It is a chance for peace, and Russia is ready to discuss disarmament initiatives.” These comments reflect his long-standing admiration for Putin, with whom he has publicly expressed support for in the past.

Volný’s pro-Russian stance is no secret. He has openly approved of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on social media, even labeling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a “mass murderer.” In March 2022, the Czech police investigated his statements but found no evidence of criminal activity.

The former MP has continued to share his views on social media, recently writing on X, “Europe needs more Putins and Orbáns, and fewer criminals like the EU and NATO.” His pro-Russian sympathies were also evident when he participated in a pro-Russian rally in Prague in September 2022.

Volný served as a member of the Czech parliament from 2017 to 2021. For part of his term, he was affiliated with the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party, led by Tomio Okamura.

Between 2019 and 2021, he led the “United” (Jednotní) movement. He later ran unsuccessfully for re-election in the 2021 elections as part of the Volný Bloc (now ČSSD).

It is worth noting that Ostrava has gained attention for being a hub of pro-Putin sentiment. In 2016, Nela Lisková opened the “Representative Center of the DPR” in the city and was recently given a suspended sentence for publicly calling for the “de-Ukrainization” of the Czech Republic.

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