Russian imperial policy poses major security threat to Czechia, warns PM

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, addressing the Czech ambassadors' meeting today at the Foreign Ministry, highlighted Russia's imperial policy as the foremost security concern facing the Czech Republic. He also cautioned against underestimating China's actions in light of its monitoring of the Ukraine conflict.

"The chances for a quick resolution of the conflict (war in Ukraine) have proved slim and are getting slimmer. The consequences of Russia's aggression are multiple and to some extent, they also contribute to a certain degree to the nervousness we feel in our country," Fiala said.

Fiala emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine, advocating for both civilian and military aid, and promoting its integration into the European Union and NATO. He stressed the necessity of preparing for the post-war reconstruction in Ukraine.

The Prime Minister noted that energy independence was critical for the Czech Republic, highlighting the need for a complete transition to U.S. and French nuclear fuel for power plants. He expressed optimism that the Czech Republic would achieve energy independence from Russia in the coming months.

"Russian attempts to re-create the spheres of influence must be stopped, otherwise this will encourage not only the regime of Russian President Vladimir Putin, but also other aggressors," Fiala warned.

Fiala called for the promotion of defense interests, stronger allied relations, and active engagement in global crisis management.

He stressed the importance of sustaining public support and solidarity with Ukraine, emphasizing that Czech solidarity was not only morally right but also crucial for national security.

Regarding energy policy, Fiala reiterated the need to end the dependence on Russian resources, particularly in the areas of gas and oil. He outlined plans for the completion of the TAL pipeline extension by the end of next year.

Fiala highlighted the strength of Transatlantic relations, commending last year's Czech EU presidency for improving the country's position. He stressed the importance of practical cooperation within the Visegrád Group and advocated for a broader Central European dialogue, including strategic cooperation with Germany and enhanced relations with Austria.

The prime minister praised improved coordination of the state foreign policy, citing the change in the presidency and the role of national security adviser Tomáš Pojar. Fiala emphasized the significance of economic diplomacy, advocating for strengthened trade and investment cooperation with reliable partners worldwide.

He called for efforts to help Czech companies diversify exports and explore emerging markets. Fiala also highlighted the importance of investing in new technologies, particularly in the automotive and IT sectors.

The meeting, opened by Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský, began with a minute of silence in honor of four recently deceased diplomats: Martin Povejšil, Kateřina Fialková, Jakub Dürr, and Monika Studená.