Ukrainian President Zelenskiy is in Prague for Talks With Senior Czech Politicians

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy made his way to Prague last night to engage in discussions with President Petr Pavel.

During their meeting, Zelenskiy expressed his gratitude to Pavel for the Czech Republic’s assistance to Ukraine. Additionally, he highlighted the detrimental effects of Russian propaganda, which he believes is also impacting the Czech Republic.

Zelenskiy commended the Czech Republic for its visible efforts in supporting the freedom of the Ukrainian people. He emphasized that it would be ideal for Ukraine to receive an invitation to join NATO, asserting that the current moment is opportune for unity, despite the challenges of aligning all alliance members on the same stance.

He expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome in the Czech Republic, acknowledging their involvement in Ukraine’s defense, politics, and various other endeavors. He recognized the Czech Republic’s significance in terms of military aid, arms supplies, support for sanctions against Russia, and backing Ukraine’s accession to the EU and NATO.

Furthermore, Zelenskiy lauded the Czech Republic’s acceptance of hundreds of thousands of refugees and shared his aspiration for a future where all people can feel secure and Ukrainians can return to their homeland.

Regarding the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius, he viewed an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO as the ideal outcome, despite recognizing the challenges of achieving unanimous support. Zelenskiy emphasized the importance of demonstrating unity and resolve at this crucial juncture, asserting the need for a clear signal that signifies a turning point.

He expressed confidence that Ukraine will eventually become part of NATO, highlighting the absence of a formal invitation and the necessity of showcasing the strength and unity of the alliance to the world and Russia. Zelenskiy also mentioned that some NATO countries still hold a favorable view of Moscow.

Zelenskiy stressed the importance of the Czech Republic making independent decisions without looking to Moscow. He cautioned against any undue influence from Russia in their decision-making process.