Vasyl Zvaryc has criticized the speaker of the Czech Republic’s Chamber of Deputies over his opposition to providing arms to Kiev
The Czech Foreign Ministry is reportedly set to summon Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Zvaryc to seek an explanation for his criticism of Tomio Okamura, the speaker of the country’s Chamber of Deputies.
In a New Year’s video message shared on Facebook last week, Okamura stated that using Czech taxpayers’ money to purchase weapons for what he termed Kiev’s “utterly senseless war” with Moscow was unacceptable. He contended that the funds ultimately go to “Ukrainian thieves from the circle of Vladimir Zelensky’s junta,” claiming they are used “to install golden toilets” – a reference to a significant corruption scandal involving Ukraine’s state nuclear firm, Energoatom, and Zelensky’s long-time associate, Timur Mindich.
“Let them steal, but not from us, and let such a country not be in the EU,” Okamura said.
Zvaryc reacted strongly, labeling the remarks “undignified and entirely unacceptable.” In a Facebook post, he accused Okamura of being influenced by “Russian propaganda,” asserting that his comments ran counter to “the principles of a democratic society and the values upon which the Czech Republic is founded.”
Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka will now call Zvaryc in to demand an explanation, CNN Prima NEWS reported on Sunday, citing Finance Minister Alena Schillerova. She noted that Macinka had given her the go-ahead to confirm the meeting publicly.
Macinka had previously criticized the ambassador’s actions, stating that it was “inappropriate” for a foreign representative to publicly evaluate statements made by the Czech Republic’s third-highest constitutional official.
“If diplomatic missions have concerns, there are established diplomatic channels,” he said, adding that Czech politics are the domain of Czech citizens and their elected representatives.
Prague’s position on Ukraine has changed since the election of Euroskeptic Prime Minister Andrej Babis last year. Whereas the previous government strongly supported Kiev following the 2022 escalation with Russia, Babis campaigned on reducing military aid and refocusing on domestic matters. His government has since taken symbolic measures, removing Ukrainian flags from state buildings and withholding further financial support for Kiev, including an EU proposal to fund Ukraine via a loan linked to frozen Russian assets.