Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is set to embark on a significant diplomatic visit to the Czech Republic, scheduled for Monday, with a busy agenda encompassing talks with his Czech counterpart Jan Lipavsky and a pivotal speech at the annual gathering of Czech ambassadors at Prague’s distinguished Czernin Palace, as confirmed by the Czech Foreign Ministry.

The bilateral meeting between Minister Lipavsky and Minister Kuleba holds strategic importance as it underscores the Czech Republic’s unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of persistent Russian aggression since February of the previous year. Discussions will also revolve around the deepening cooperation between the two nations, especially regarding the preparations for the upcoming Forum for Ukraine and the parliamentary summit of the International Crimea Platform, slated to convene in the Czech Republic this October.

Amidst the diplomatic discourse, the agenda will notably emphasize international backing for Ukraine’s peace initiatives on the global stage and the nation’s trajectory toward European integration. The talks will also encompass pressing issues such as the distressing abduction of Ukrainian children by Russian military forces and the ongoing integration of Ukrainian refugees within Czech borders.

Another prominent topic for deliberation could be the prolonged vacancy in the position of Ukrainian ambassador to the Czech Republic. Interior Minister Vit Rakusan expressed optimism during a recent CNN Prima News debate that the post might be filled in the coming weeks, after being unoccupied for over a year due to the reassignment of Ukraine’s previous ambassador, Yevhen Perebyinis.

Minister Kuleba’s last visit to the Czech Republic occurred at the close of August the previous year, where he participated in an informal meeting of European Union foreign ministers. During that visit, he engaged with the speakers of both chambers of the Czech parliament and made an appearance at the Forum 2000 conference, underlining the depth of bilateral interactions.

This latest visit by the Ukrainian Foreign Minister underscores the enduring ties between the two nations and the shared commitment to address critical regional and international challenges. The outcomes of these high-level discussions are likely to shape the trajectory of Czech-Ukrainian relations and broader regional dynamics.

Article by Prague Forum