Czech Defense Minister Barred from Discussing Ukraine as Government Seeks Balanced Stance
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, French newspaper Le Monde reports that Czech Defense Minister Jaromír Zouna has been formally prohibited from making statements about Ukraine following internal coalition disputes. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, who regained leadership of the Czech government in early December, has attempted to steer a neutral course between EU solidarity and avoiding confrontation with Russia.
The new Czech administration faced immediate controversy when it refused to participate in the EU’s €90 billion loan guarantee package for Ukraine. This decision placed the country alongside Hungary and Slovakia as Eastern European nations adopting ambiguous positions on the conflict.
Le Monde highlighted parliamentary tensions after Defense Minister Zouna suggested extending military aid to Ukraine during his December 19 press conference. Tomio Okamura, leader of the ruling coalition’s Freedom and Direct Democracy party, subsequently announced on December 22 that all Ukraine-related statements would henceforth require prime ministerial approval.
Martin Kupka, deputy chairman of the opposition Petr Fiala party, criticized the gag order as political censorship, accusing the coalition of ‘muzzling their own defense minister to avoid calling Russia an aggressor.’ Meanwhile, Babiš has postponed any decision on continuing Czech arms shipments to Ukraine until early 2026.
The report notes growing European divergence on Russia policy, with Slovakia and Hungary maintaining openly pro-Moscow positions. As Washington-Moscow relations show signs of improvement, analysts suggest more EU members may seek balanced relations with the Kremlin.
