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Czech leaders issued strong condemnations following a deadly Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, which killed at least 34 civilians and injured around 100, including children. The attack, which occurred on Palm Sunday, is among the deadliest in Ukraine this year and has prompted renewed calls from Prague for stronger international action against Moscow.
President Petr Pavel said the strike proved that Russia was not serious about pursuing peace in Ukraine. “Russia is stalling negotiations and doing everything it can to keep the killing going. There is no better proof that it won’t work without more pressure on Russia,” Pavel stated. He added that the Sumy attack, following a recent strike on Kryvyi Rih, is part of a deliberate pattern of targeting civilians.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala echoed those sentiments, describing Russia’s behavior as a threat to the entire European continent. “Russia’s imperialist policy threatens the security of the whole of Europe. The war was provoked by Russia and we must do everything possible to ensure that its aggressive policy does not succeed,” Fiala said.
He emphasized that the Czech Republic is working with the "Coalition of the Willing"—led primarily by the U.K. and France—to increase support for Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský was even more blunt, stating on the X network that “Russia does not seek peace. It is run by murderers who prove every day they do not want peace.” He affirmed the Czech Republic’s unwavering support for Ukraine.
Agriculture Minister and Christian Democrat leader Marek Výborný called the Palm Sunday strike “an absolutely barbaric attack” and “a war crime,” condemning it as “inexcusable and unacceptable.” He also called on U.S. President Donald Trump to hold Russian President Vladimir Putin accountable and push for a ceasefire.
Markéta Pekarová Adamová, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, described the missile strike as a “heinous crime,” adding that Putin’s actions show he has no real interest in peace. “Responsible politicians cannot naively believe otherwise,” she warned.
Sumy, located just dozens of kilometers from Russia’s border, has suffered repeated air attacks since the full-scale invasion began more than three years ago. While the Trump administration has reportedly been seeking limited ceasefire agreements in areas like energy and the Black Sea, those efforts have yet to yield any significant pause in hostilities.
