1,000 days of war: Czech leaders double down on support for Ukraine

One thousand days after Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, Czech leaders say they remain committed to supporting Ukraine’s resistance. Czech MEPs, President Petr Pavel, and Prime Minister Petr Fiala have all voiced practical and moral reasons for continuing this support.

At a special session of the European Parliament (EP) in Brussels, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addressed MEPs through video, calling for a united European response against Russia.

This session, convened by EP President Roberta Metsola, marked 1,000 days since the invasion and received a standing ovation from the 395 members present. Czech MEPs Luděk Niedermayer, Ondřej Kolář, Jan Farský, Danuše Nerudová, Tomáš Zdechovský, and others from the Greens and Patriots for Europe factions were among those in attendance.

After the session, Czech MEPs Markéta Gregorová, Jan Farský, and Ondřej Kolář reiterated that aiding Ukraine must remain Europe’s top priority. Gregorová emphasized the need for “long-term and stable support,” noting recent financial assistance to strengthen Ukraine’s economy alongside military aid.

Farský highlighted the importance of enforcing sanctions to prevent dual-use goods from reaching Russia, aiming to ensure EU technology doesn’t end up aiding the aggressor. Czech representatives also warned that as the U.S. approaches a presidential election, potential shifts in its foreign policy could complicate European unity, requiring Europe to increase its own support if necessary.

"The war in Ukraine reveals our vulnerabilities," added Kolář, who pointed out the EU’s susceptibility to hybrid warfare and the challenges of the veto system. He argued that as the EU discusses enlargement, it must also prepare itself as it expects Ukraine to do for eventual membership.

Czech President Petr Pavel strongly supports Ukraine’s use of U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles to strike Russian targets. Speaking to Blesk, Pavel argued that Ukraine should have been allowed to use these weapons immediately upon delivery. He questioned why Ukraine, which has endured Russian attacks since the war’s start, should face restrictions on defending itself in kind.

“Russia has attacked Ukraine repeatedly, often using foreign-supplied weapons from countries like Iran and North Korea. Why shouldn’t Ukraine be allowed to respond similarly?” Pavel asked. He noted that limiting Ukraine’s ability to strike Russian military targets has let Russia attack Ukraine with impunity, creating an unbalanced situation. With the U.S. easing these restrictions, Pavel believes the conflict has become fairer.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala also endorsed the U.S. decision to allow Ukraine’s use of ATACMS missiles. On Frekvence 1, he compared Ukraine’s limitations to a football match where one team isn’t allowed past midfield. “If we want to live in safety, we must stop Russian aggression together,” he said, stressing that peace must come without rewarding Russian aggression.

As winter nears and the war continues, Czechia has renewed its commitment to provide financial, logistical, and strategic support to Ukraine. However, as MEPs pointed out, Europe must be prepared to shoulder a greater burden if the U.S. decreases its involvement. This stance reflects both a practical need and a moral obligation, say Czech leaders.