Overview
- Tomio Okamura, the Czech Chamber of Deputies speaker and leader of the far-right SPD, used a New Year address to denounce aid to Ukraine, disparage its leadership, and argue against its EU membership.
- Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Zvarych called the remarks offensive and influenced by Russian propaganda, stressing he answered publicly to defend Ukraine’s dignity rather than meddle in Czech internal affairs.
- Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka said it was inappropriate for a foreign ambassador to publicly assess a high constitutional official and urged the use of standard diplomatic channels.
- Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha defended Zvarych as “absolutely right” to respond and invited his Czech counterpart to pursue constructive dialogue to strengthen bilateral ties.
- Verkhovna Rada Chair Ruslan Stefanchuk condemned Okamura’s comments in unusually sharp terms, as Czech opposition parties prepared a parliamentary effort to remove the speaker.