Prime Minister Fiala Following Meeting with President Zelenskyy: Czech Republic Will Continue to Stand Firmly on Ukraine’s Side
On Monday, 5 May 2025, the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Petr Fiala, met with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, at Straka Academy. The main topics of discussion included the continuation of military, humanitarian and other assistance, the Czech ammunition initiative, deepening economic cooperation, and possibilities for a ceasefire and securing peace. The leaders agreed to enhance the training of Ukrainian pilots in the Czech Republic. Prime Minister Fiala emphasised that since the beginning of this year, half a million pieces of large-calibre ammunition have been delivered within the framework of the Czech ammunition initiative. During the visit, a Joint Declaration was signed between the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic and the Ministry of National Unity of Ukraine regarding the Ukrainian Unity Centre, known as the Unity Hub, in the Czech Republic.
“From our own experience, we know that making concessions to aggressors is never the right path. I assured the President that the Czech Republic will continue to stand firmly by Ukraine's side in its defence against Russian aggression. We realise that Ukraine is not only defending its territory, its independence and territorial integrity, but is defending the whole of Europe and its security,” stated Prime Minister Petr Fiala after the meeting.
The leaders agreed to enhance the training of Ukrainian soldiers. “Today we have agreed that we shall focus, together with partners in the coalition of the willing, on training Ukrainian pilots on L-39 aircraft as well as on F-16 aircraft in the Czech Republic. The training may take place, for example, in Náměšť. Ukraine is already training helicopter and fighter pilots on simulators of Czech manufacture. The Czech ammunition initiative, which plays an important role in Ukraine’s defence, continues successfully. We are managing to secure further deliveries and we shall continue to do so. Since the beginning of the year, half a million pieces of large-calibre ammunition have been delivered to Ukraine, and we expect to meet the target for the number of pieces delivered that we set for this year,” stated Prime Minister Fiala.
An important topic discussed was strengthening defence cooperation. Exports by Czech companies to Ukraine are growing rapidly; last year they increased year-on-year by a quarter to almost 45 billion CZK. In 2022, this figure was 25.6 billion CZK. Examples of cooperation include deliveries of cogeneration units by TEDOM and GenTec companies with a total value of almost 80 million euros, or completion of the Oriv wind power plant in western Ukraine with an investment by the Czech MND group of 61.5 million euros. “Further projects are also being prepared; we discussed some of them today. Škoda Transportation and other companies are planning supplies in the transport sector. We discussed the possibility of strengthening cooperation in the field of nuclear energy; for example, Škoda Nuclear Engineering is already cooperating intensively with Ukraine. Czech companies are prepared to play an active role in the reconstruction of key infrastructure,” added the Czech Prime Minister.
During today’s visit, a Joint Declaration on the Ukrainian Unity Centre in the Czech Republic, known as the Unity Hub, was signed. This Ukrainian project aims to assist refugees in improving their integration into society and also with their voluntary repatriation when the time comes. A Memorandum of Cooperation was also signed between Czech higher education institutions and the President of Ukraine’s Fund for the Support of Education, Science and Sport.
