Okamura, in a New Year’s speech, called the entourage of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky a “junta” that “builds toilets of gold” and criticized the EU for supporting Kyiv.
Zvarych called Okamura's statement “offensive and full of hatred.” The diplomat added that the words that the Czech speaker allowed himself regarding Ukraine are “undignified and absolutely unacceptable” and contradict “the principles of a democratic society and the values on which the Czech Republic is based as an integral part of the European community.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga stood up for the Ukrainian ambassador. According to him, Zvarych “did absolutely correctly by responding to Speaker Okamura’s outrageous insults against Ukraine and its leadership,” and “he did it diplomatically.” Sibiga added that all ambassadors “are tasked with defending the dignity of Ukraine.”
In turn, Zvarych added that he “does not interfere in the internal affairs” of the Czech Republic, but “only reacted to the offensive, boorish public statements of a high Czech official against Ukraine and the democratically elected Ukrainian government.”
According to Babish, Zvarych “violated some diplomatic customs.”
“He has nothing to teach us here. He is a diplomat. Well, if the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine says so, he is a politician,” noted the Czech Prime Minister.
Commenting on Okamura's statements, Babis said that he acted as the leader of the SPD movement (part of the government coalition) and addressed his voters.
On January 5, Zvarych visited the Czech Foreign Ministry, where he met with the head of the department, Petr Macinka. On January 6 he will call Sibiga.
