Czech PM Andrej Babiš blasts Russian interference in internal affairs

Lany, Central Bohemia, April 28 (CTK) – The Czech Republic will not let foreign powers influence its political affairs, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) told journalists today.

Babiš said Foreign Minister Tomáš Petříček (Social Democrats, CSSD) was dealing with the current disputes with Moscow.

He said he had spoken with Petříček about the situation today.

Babiš said the situation did not require radical steps such as expulsion of the ambassador of Russia.

Babiš spoke of the tense Czech-Russian relations after his regular meeting with President Miloš Zeman. However, he said they had not discussed the issue of it.

“We are a sovereign state and we will certainly not allow any big world powers to influence our political affairs in any way,” Babiš said.

He said it is unacceptable for any foreign state to launch any actions against Czech citizens.

In its latest issue, the weekly Respekt wrote that a Russian agent equipped with ricin poison arrived in Prague three weeks ago. Referring to unnamed sources, it said the person in question arrived carrying a diplomatic passport and was met by a Russian embassy vehicle upon arrival at the Prague airport.

Babiš said feuds with Russia were being dealt with by the Foreign Ministry through diplomatic channels. International talks will continue, he added.

Babiš said the diplomacy had also dealt with the signs of hostility that targetted Czech diplomatic offices in Moscow and Saint Petersburg in the past weeks.