In Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel, who came to Ukraine on a working visit.
The Ukrainian leader informed his counterpart that, the day before, Russia had used more than 200 attack drones, most of which were "Shaheds." In particular, in Odesa, infrastructure was heavily damaged – including ordinary residential buildings, shopping centers, and stores.
“Every day the world receives more and more evidence that Putin and his Russia are the sole cause of this war. For over a week now, a proposal for a full ceasefire has been on the table, and there is no silence only because Putin does not accept this proposal. That is why pressure is needed – pressure on Russia,” the President of Ukraine emphasized.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Petr Pavel discussed all the key details of the situation on the frontline and the overall course of the war. Ukraine appreciates the Czech initiative on artillery ammunition and is working together with the Czech Republic to implement it this year.
The President of Ukraine also shared details of his conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump and the preparations of the Ukrainian and American teams for a new meeting in Saudi Arabia.
The talks also focused on joint European efforts to provide security guarantees for Ukraine and on defense production.
“Our teams – from Ukraine and the Czech Republic – have concrete projects. Every good idea for the development of our defense capabilities must be implemented. Today, some agreements will already be put in action,” the Head of State said.
In addition, he thanked the Czech Republic for respecting Ukraine and the hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians who have been provided with temporary shelter. According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, an agreement has been reached to open a Unity Center for Ukrainians in Prague. This special hub will consolidate assistance to Ukrainian citizens.
Also, a decision has been made on the Czech auspices for the Dnipro region in terms of restoration and development, as well as on the reconstruction and outfitting of six hospitals by the Czech Republic: in Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Lutsk, Lviv, Rivne, and Kyiv.
The President of the Czech Republic shared his impressions of his visit to Ukraine and the consequences of the Russian attacks he witnessed firsthand.
“We Czechs fully understand the Ukrainian desire to make a sovereign choice about the future and to live as a free society. Ukraine needs to receive guarantees that Russia will not attack again. This is our collective responsibility. The Czech Republic will contribute,” he said.
Petr Pavel noted that the Czech Republic will continue to provide defense support and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, and will contribute to reconstruction, particularly in the areas of energy, water supply, and health care.
He also expressed support for Ukraine's accession to the EU and NATO, which could serve as the strongest and the most cost-effective guarantee of European peace.
The meeting resulted in the adoption of a Joint Statement on Strategic Partnership between Ukraine and the Czech Republic.
