Czech Republic ready to deepen military cooperation with Ukraine - Fiala

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala stated this at a joint briefing in Prague with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“We want a just peace that will not be a success of Russia's aggressive policy… Ukraine can count on us. We will do everything to ensure that the Ukrainian people’s just struggle succeeds, and that Ukraine wins,” Fiala stated.

He emphasized that a strong and well-equipped army is the greatest guarantee for Ukraine.

As an active member of the Coalition of the Willing, the Czech Republic is ready to expand its military cooperation with Ukraine, particularly in the area of training. Fiala noted that agreements have been reached within the coalition framework to train Ukrainian pilots on Czech soil, including on L-159 and F-16 aircraft.

Additionally, he said that Ukrainian personnel are already undergoing training on Czech training simulators.

He added that his country is prepared to expand its involvement in training soldiers.

He also noted the Czech Republic’s shell initiative, which has already supplied Ukraine with half a million units of large-caliber ammunition since the beginning of the year.

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the Czech Republic has provided Ukraine with over 2,000 pieces of heavy equipment, including 620 guns, nearly 300 tanks, and more than 50 rocket launchers, among other military assets, Fiala noted.

Fiala emphasized that the Czech people are well aware of what Ukrainians are going through. He recalled that today marks the 80th anniversary of the Prague Uprising against Nazi occupation, underscoring the importance of defending one’s homeland and emphasizing that appeasement of the aggressor is never the right course.

As reported, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky is in the Czech Republic for an official visit on May 4-5.