Yesterday afternoon, a commemoration ceremony took place at the memorial to the soldiers of the Red Army in Prague’s Olsany Cemetery, marking the end of the Second World War and the liberation of Czechoslovakia. The event was attended by prominent figures such as Senate chairman Milos Vystrcil, Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky, representatives of the Czech Sokol patriotic organization, and Vitaly Usatyi, the charge d’affaires representing Ukraine in the Czech Republic.

During the ceremony, Usatyi emphasized the significant contribution of Ukrainian soldiers to the liberation of Czechoslovakia. He pointed out that many Ukrainian soldiers, mobilized between 1943 and 1944, are buried in the Olsany Cemetery. In that period, Ukraine sent an impressive 3.7 million soldiers to fight against Nazi Germany. Overall, more than six million Ukrainians fought in the ranks of the Red Army, while others served in the armies of Poland, the US, and Britain.

The historical parallels between the Munich Agreement prior to World War II and the present were highlighted by both Czech and Ukrainian speakers. Usatyi, like Czech politicians including President Petr Pavel, drew attention to the dangers of appeasement, as the Allies did with Hitler, which ultimately led to the outbreak of war. He further expressed concern about the resurgence of a similar regime in Russia, labeling it as “ordinary fascism.”

Usatyi stressed the necessity of pressuring Russia through sanctions and isolating Vladimir Putin’s regime. However, he also acknowledged the importance of military defeat in order to safeguard Ukraine’s sovereignty. He lamented that victory would come at a high cost, with tens of thousands of Ukrainian lives at stake, reminiscent of the millions lost during World War II.

Vystrcil echoed the sentiments of Churchill, emphasizing that the Czech Republic had a choice between shame and supporting Ukraine. He expressed his satisfaction with the Czech Republic’s decision to support Ukraine, warning against concessions to Russia.

Lipavsky, in his address, drew attention to the post-war period when communism replaced the Nazi regime, highlighting its criminal nature. He acknowledged the shared historical experience between the Czech Republic and many nations of the Soviet Union, which suffered under oppressive Soviet regimes.

The ceremony concluded with a firm condemnation of Russia’s aggressive imperialist policy, which exploits the victory over Nazism to justify its actions, with Ukraine being the primary victim.

The commemoration ceremony served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during World War II and emphasized the importance of solidarity and vigilance in the face of present-day challenges. It underscored the shared determination of the Czech Republic and Ukraine to defend the principles of freedom, democracy, and sovereignty.

Article by Prague Forum