Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived in Prague on Thursday for a series of high-level talks aimed at strengthening ties between Ukraine and the Czech Republic. In a meeting with Czech President Petr Pavel, Zelenskiy expressed gratitude for the Czech assistance to Ukraine and highlighted the impact of Russian propaganda not only on Ukraine but also on the Czech Republic.

During the meeting, Zelenskiy praised the Czech Republic for its visible support in the fight for freedom in Ukraine. He emphasized the importance of Ukraine receiving an invitation to join NATO and stated that the current moment was opportune for unity, despite the challenges of reaching a consensus among all alliance members.

Zelenskiy commended the Czech Republic’s role in providing military aid, arms supplies, and support for sanctions against Russia. He also acknowledged the Czech Republic’s efforts in assisting Ukrainian refugees, expressing the shared dream of ensuring security for all people and enabling Ukrainians to return to their homeland.

The Ukrainian President expressed his hopes for the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius, where he considered an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO as the ideal outcome. While acknowledging the difficulty in obtaining unanimous support, Zelenskiy stressed the need to demonstrate alliance unity and bravery. He highlighted the importance of the summit’s agenda, particularly the discussion on the next defence support package for Ukraine.

Zelenskiy expressed confidence that Ukraine would eventually become part of NATO and called on member states not to look to Moscow when making independent decisions. He and President Pavel also discussed common security concerns, cooperation in strengthening defense capabilities, and addressing the threat of terrorism emanating from Russia.

Addressing the issue of Russian propaganda, Zelenskiy warned of its destructive influence not only within Ukraine but also in the wider international community. He stressed the importance of defending against such propaganda and called for negotiations with third countries, advocating for a “peace formula” to resolve the ongoing conflict with Russia.

President Zelenskiy’s visit to Prague follows his talks with Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov and President Rumen Radev. During his Prague visit, he is scheduled to hold discussions with Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Senate Speaker Milos Vystrcil, and the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Marketa Pekarova Adamova. He will also meet with members of the Czech government and parliament.

The visit underscores the strong bilateral relationship between Ukraine and the Czech Republic, with both countries working together to address common security challenges and promote regional stability. President Zelenskiy’s calls for unity against Russian propaganda and support for Ukraine’s NATO aspirations reflect the ongoing efforts to strengthen alliances and safeguard Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Article by Prague Forum