Germany to discuss support for Czech Republic against Russia with allies

Germany has been discussing possible steps in support of the Czech Republic in its diplomatic rift with Russia over a 2014 explosion with EU member states and NATO, German government spokeswoman Martina Fietz tells CTK.

Last weekend, the Czech Republic reported that Russian GRU agents were suspected of orchestrating a blast in a Czech ammunition warehouse in 2014, which claimed two lives and caused a huge material damage.

Following this, the Czech Republic expelled 18 employees of the Russian embassy. Russia retaliated by expelling 20 Czech embassy staff members in Moscow. Additional diplomats have been expelled by both sides, and some Czech allies have also expelled Russian embassy employees.

The German government is in contact with both the Czech government as well as European and NATO partners regarding the developments, Fietz said. The shared interest is to fully clarify the incident, she noted.

When asked whether Germany might expel Russian diplomats like Slovakia did as a gesture of solidarity, Fietz said the country will discuss it with allies. She refused to elaborate and say whether such expulsion may be expected.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke over the phone with Czech PM Andrej Babiš (ANO) on Thursday. Babiš informed Merkel about current developments and the chancellor promised him solidarity, Fietz said.

German Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Adebahr also commented on the diplomatic feud between Czechia and Russia. She said Foreign Minister Heiko Maas called his counterpart Jakub Kulhanek on Thursday. Among other matters, they discussed relations with Russia.

German diplomatic representatives in Russia have also reached out to the Czech embassy in Moscow. They have discussed ways of helping preserve the operation of the Czech diplomatic mission in Moscow, Adebahr added.