December 26, 2022
8.35pm
Czech President Milos Zeman has called for further support from Ukraine, including military support, and said this would ultimately lead Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
“I am sure that the pressure exerted by free countries will sooner or later force Russia to leave the territory of Ukraine,” Zeman said in his traditional Christmas address.
The head of state underlined that he has always supported the correctness of economic relations between Prague and Moscow, especially as regards energy supply.
“Now, however, the security of the world, as well as the Czech Republic, is under threat,” Zeman noted. “In such situations, economic interests take a back seat and security becomes paramount,” he added.
Before Russia attacked Ukraine, Zeman was seen as an opponent of harsh European sanctions against Moscow, and was often criticized as “pro-Russian”.
This was Zeman’s last Christmas speech as head of state. He is holding this office for a second term and is no longer eligible to run again for the presidential elections, which will be held on January 13 and 14.
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