Brussels – Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Brussels today about the supply of energy production devices to Ukraine and about his country's participation in some EU programs. Fiala told reporters after the meeting of the group of six states with the Ukrainian delegation on the sidelines of the extraordinary summit in Brussels. Slovakia, the Ukrainian president asked for supplies of MiG-29 fighters, Prime Minister Eduard Heger said that he would try to comply with the request.
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Photo gallery: President Zelensky's visit to Europe
< p>According to Fiala, the Czech Republic is ready to continue helping Ukraine in the military field, as well as with the replacement of energy sources and the repair of the energy infrastructure that Russia is systematically liquidating. According to Fiala, other important points of mutual talks are the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine and support for its membership in the European Union.
“The door to the European Union is open and Ukraine is taking decisive steps forward,” said Fiala. He praised the progress in legislative changes despite wartime conditions and the serious approach of Kyiv. “Our interest is to help Ukraine as much as possible on this journey,” the prime minister added. However, according to him, entry has clear rules that require a certain amount of time.
“For the state to be able to function at all, to exist, to have a chance to survive, systematic financial support is needed,” said Fiala, adding that the EU agreed on regular subsidies for Ukraine thanks to the Czech presidency.
According to the Czech Prime Minister, Zelenskyj described the current events at the front in the war provoked by Russia to the European leaders in Brussels. The Ukrainian side handed over to each of the partner countries a list of military equipment that it would like to receive from it and which it assumes the country in question possesses, a diplomatic source told ČTK. According to him, the Czechia can provide roughly half of the items on the list.
The group that Zelenskyj met with and which the Brussels server Politico describes as “vocal supporters of Ukraine” included, in addition to the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, Latvia and Estonia. During the afternoon, a total of four groups discussed in a similar format. Zelenskyi already met with the leading representatives of France, Germany and Britain on Wednesday.
Slovakia Zelenskyy asked for MiG-29 fighters to defend against Russian aggression. The President also thanked the Slovak Prime Minister for Slovakia's approach to Ukrainian refugees. Heger reminded that the countries have a common border.
“You are our neighbor, but also our partner. It is in the interest of Slovakia and European security to help you. We will therefore work on your request and you can count on our help,” he said Heger at a meeting with the press.
Fiala met Zelensky for the first time in person last March in Kyiv, where he arrived as one of the first foreign statesmen. Last year, the Czech Prime Minister arrived in the Ukrainian metropolis, which Russian troops were trying to surround, together with his Polish counterpart Mateusz Morawiecki and the then Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša. Fiala and Zelenskyy met for the second time at a joint meeting of the Czech and Ukrainian governments last October in Kyiv.
An extraordinary summit is being held in Brussels today, which is dedicated to migration, further aid to Ukraine and support for the European economy. For Zelenský, this is only the second trip abroad since the beginning of the war last February.
