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“We must recognize that in Ukraine we are slowing down Russia’s imperial expansion, which is also gritting its teeth in the Central Europe region, in the Baltic countries,” Lipavský said. As a result, Finland has joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Sweden is close to membership. Help for Ukraine, be it military, humanitarian, financial, political or moral, is also in the interest of European security: “If Ukraine falls, we will be a little closer to Russia – in the truest sense of the word, at the borders of the European Union , very close.” the Czech Republic – and we can’t allow that.”
“I regularly tell everyone in Europe that our biggest challenge is to keep Russia as far away from our borders as possible. Our policy must aim at this. “The debates are not easy, but we see that European countries are able to come to an agreement as a result,” Lipavský said.
Řehka: We must prepare for war
According to Lipavský, the recent meeting of the European Council showed that European states are capable of reaching an agreement, “although we have seen how Hungary has blocked some things for a long time and is still blocking some things.” Due to the Hungarian veto, the EU summit did not agree on the revision of the long-term EU budget for 2021 to 2027, which would take into account the need for long-term support for Ukraine in countering Russian aggression and other current needs.
Does the minister believe that an agreement will finally be reached at the special summit on February 1st? “I understand when some EU member states forego this constructively, for example, as we see again and again when it comes to financing military aid.” Not only Hungary, but also states pursue a neutrality policy – Austria and Ireland. They do so in a way that does not prevent other countries from strengthening Ukraine’s security and increasing Ukraine’s chances of defending itself against Russian pressure.”
War weariness is a threat to our sovereignty
According to Lipavský, war weariness, which is often talked about, manifests itself in different ways. “However, if we grow tired of our own security, we will lose our freedom and sovereignty,” the minister emphasized. He also believes it is important to explain Ukraine’s support to the public.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 and Ukraine faces regular shelling and airstrikes. They worsened significantly last fall when Moscow began a large-scale bombing of Ukrainian infrastructure and cities, cutting off energy, heat and water supplies during the winter months. Kiev had previously warned that Moscow would pursue a similar strategy this winter.
One of the companies has already filed a lawsuit to be added to the national sanctions list
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