Prime Ministers of Ukraine and the Czech Republic hold bilateral talks in Uzhhorod

Security, economic cooperation, European integration, and Ukraine’s recovery were discussed by the Prime Ministers of Ukraine and the Czech Republic, Denys Shmyhal and Petr Fiala, during a meeting in Uzhhorod on 20 May.

“We are committed to strengthening the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the Czech Republic for the benefit of both our nations,” said the Head of the Ukrainian Government following the bilateral talks.

He highlighted that the Czech Republic, which continued to play a key role in international efforts to achieve a just peace and hold the aggressor accountable, was at the forefront of sanctions policy against the aggressor.

“We count on further strengthening of sanctions and closing all loopholes for evading restrictions. We welcome the adoption of the 17th EU sanctions package. We also insist on the full confiscation of frozen russian assets in the West,” emphasised Denys Shmyhal.

The Prime Ministers noted the importance of increasing military, financial, economic, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. According to Denys Shmyhal, the two countries will deepen the integration of their defence industries. Additionally, the leaders agreed on cooperation in training Ukrainian F-16 pilots.

The Head of the Ukrainian Government stressed the Czech Republic’s support for Ukraine’s European integration, including through advisory assistance in pre-accession negotiations. He reiterated that Ukraine aimed to open all six negotiating clusters in its talks with the European Union.

During the meeting, the parties agreed to boost bilateral trade, as well as cooperation in energy, agriculture, transport, healthcare, and reconstruction.

“Ukraine’s recovery is a global project, the most ambitious since the end of World War II. It requires the unity of all of Europe and the world’s leading economies,” Denys Shmyhal stressed. He expressed gratitude for the Czech Republic’s patronage over Dnipropetrovsk region, which included rebuilding hospitals, supplying energy equipment, and providing drinking water purification systems.

“We are particularly grateful to the Czech government for modernising six hospitals in Kyiv, Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro, Lviv, Lutsk, and Rivne,” said Denys Shmyhal. He added that Ukraine valued the comprehensive assistance provided by the Czech Republic, including USD 900 million in military aid since 2022, the delivery of approximately 1.5 million shells last year under the Czech initiative, an additional 400,000 shells to be supplied this year, an increase in annual aid to Ukraine to over USD 43 million, and EUR 80 million for the energy sector.