Czech PM warns against appeasing Putin in Russo-Ukrainian war
Petr Fiala stresses the importance of continued Ukraine support, announces Czech defense spending increases.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala warned Western allies against any “appeasement” in potential peace negotiations with Russia over Ukraine, emphasizing that Europe needs US strength to prevent further Russian aggression, Bloomberg reports.
During an interview at the parliament in Prague on 6 December, Fiala told Bloomberg that forcing Kyiv to cede territory would only encourage Vladimir Putin’s war machine.
“We find ourselves in a very complicated and dangerous situation that some rightly describe as a second Cold War,” Fiala said.
The Czech premier revealed he was “pleasantly surprised” by a recent phone conversation with US President-elect Donald Trump, who showed interest in Prague’s position on Ukraine.
“Mr. Trump wanted to understand our point of view,” Fiala told Bloomberg.
Drawing parallels with Czech history, Fiala warned that any cease-fire terms must be accepted by Ukraine, stating that anything else would amount to “another Munich Agreement.” He referred to the 1938 deal better known as the Munich Betrayal where Western powers accepted Nazi Germany’s annexation of parts of then-Czechoslovakia, appeasing Hitler before he started the WWII.
“Europe’s security simply can’t be ensured with Russia occupying a part of Ukraine and continuing its aggression,” Fiala said, adding “I don’t believe in the politics of appeasement — it always benefits the aggressor. Always.”
Bloomberg says that the Czech Republic will reach NATO’s 2% of GDP defense spending benchmark this year.
“Our security can’t forever be based on the willingness of the US to defend Europe,” Fiala stated, calling for Europe to “play a bigger role, take more responsibility.”
Related:
- Zelenskyy says “Putin fears only Trump and, perhaps, China”
- Trump signals that cutting US aid to Ukraine is “possible” when he takes office
- Germany’s Chancellor believes it to be possible to find diplomatic consensus with Trump on Ukraine
- Russia lost 600,000 troops in Ukraine, powerless in Syria, Trump says
- Czechs raise € 8.15 mn for Ukraine military drones
- Czech Republic pledges to extend ammunition initiative for Ukraine
- Czech intelligence chief warns against weak peace in Ukraine
- Czech company provides Ukraine with over $ 800 thousand for anti-tank grenade launchers
- 100+ officials, experts warn of 1938 Munich-like betrayal of Ukraine as US votes
You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.
We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society.
A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support.
