Czech PM Says Ukrainian Ambassador Violated Protocol by Rebuking Parliament Speaker
Opposition leaders are preparing a vote to oust Tomio Okamura, turning the dispute into a test for Prague's politics.
Overview
- Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said Ambassador Vasyl Zvarych crossed diplomatic lines by publicly criticizing Speaker Tomio Okamura's New Year's remarks, adding the envoy is "not here to teach us."
- Foreign Minister Petr Marčinka said he would summon the ambassador and labeled the public condemnation of a top constitutional officer inappropriate.
- Zvarych wrote on Facebook that Okamura's comments about Ukrainians and Ukraine were undignified and completely unacceptable.
- President Petr Pavel voiced serious concern over Okamura's statements, and five opposition parties began steps toward a parliamentary vote to remove him as speaker.
- Kyiv backed its envoy, with Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha calling his response correct and diplomatic, while Okamura said he stands by his video opposing weapons aid to Ukraine.