Most Czechs consider humanitarian aid to Ukraine necessary, charity representative says
The number of Czech citizens who believe it is right to provide humanitarian support and assistance to Ukraine in its recovery has declined slightly over the past four years, but supporters of Ukraine still constitute the overwhelming majority of the population.
This was stated in a comment to Ukrinform by Petr Drbohlav, regional director and head of the aid department of the Czech charity organization People in Need.
"Public opinion polls show that about 70% of Czechs believe that support for Ukraine through humanitarian aid and reconstruction should continue. This is less than in 2022, when it was around 97 or 98% in the first weeks, but it is still a very strong figure," Drbohlav said.
He noted that the remaining 30% are not necessarily opposed to aid, but often say that perhaps the Czech Republic should first help people at home.
Of course, there is also a smaller group that simply repeats Russian propaganda.
In the context of a certain change in the new government's policy, Drbohlav noted that populist politicians tend to follow polls.
“So we see that even parties that were initially skeptical (about supporting Ukraine) have adjusted their rhetoric, realizing that more than half of voters support Ukraine,” the organization's representative said.
He added that there is also a pragmatic dimension: in addition to values, many people see that supporting Ukraine makes economic sense and is beneficial for the Czech Republic itself.
As reported by Ukrinform, Andrej Babiš's government has changed its rhetoric on aid to Ukraine, although it has reduced the budget items for these purposes in the draft budget. In addition, it was announced that the ammunition initiative would be continued, although Prague would retain only a coordinating role.