Ukraine and Czechia agree to "turn the page" after Czech speaker controversy

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has held what he described as a "very meaningful and constructive" conversation with his Czech counterpart Petr Macinka on bilateral relations amid a recent controversy sparked by remarks from Czech Chamber of Deputies President Tomio Okamura.

Sybiha congratulated Macinka on his appointment as foreign minister and thanked Czechia for its consistent support for Ukraine.

"First and foremost, we discussed our bilateral relations. We agreed to turn over the page of the recent exchanges of statements and strengthen our political dialogue at the level of foreign ministries based on mutual respect and strategic partnership," Sybiha wrote on X.

Sybiha also informed Macinka of Ukraine's strong interest in further cooperation with Czechia in the defence sector, as well as Czech participation in Ukraine's recovery. The ministers discussed the situation on the battlefield and Russian attacks on the energy system.

They also exchanged views on recent peace efforts and agreed that "there is no alternative to forcing Russia to stop its aggression as soon as possible".

"I invited Petr Macinka to Ukraine and he confirmed his trip in the nearest future. I look forward to hosting my Czech colleague in Kyiv," Sybiha said.

In his New Year address, Tomio Okamura, the leader of the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy party, spoke out against assistance to Ukraine and referred to "Zelenskyy's junta".

Following this, Vasyl Zvarych, Ukraine's Ambassador to Czechia, said Okamura's recent statements about Ukraine, Ukrainians and Ukraine's leadership echoed Russian propaganda and are unacceptable.

Macinka called such assessments of a Czech senior official by an ambassador of a foreign state inappropriate. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said Zvarych had violated diplomatic etiquette.

Sybiha rejected criticism from his Czech counterpart and defended Zvarych.