2026-01-19 18:04
publication
2026-01-19 18:04
The Czech Republic will not sell or transfer light fighter aircraft to Ukraine to fight drones, Prime Minister Andrej Babis said on Monday. The declaration was made three days after Czech President Petr Pavel announced in Kiev that Ukraine may receive several L-159 jets.
– The planes are not available and we do not have any others – Babis said after the government meeting, adding that his country's army needs these machines.
This announcement is diametrically opposed to the words of President Pavel, who told President Volodymyr Zelensky during last week's visit to Ukraine that The Czech Republic could soon donate several Czech L-159 aircraft to Kiev.
The difference in positions on the fighter jets issue highlights the political differences in the approach to support for Ukraine between the Czech Prime Minister and the President.
Pavel advocates further aid for the struggling country. During the 2025 election campaign, Babisz declared that it would be limited, just like other leaders of the new, far-right, populist and Eurosceptic government established in mid-January.
Babis announced that the Czech Republic will no longer financially support the ammunition initiative, which allowed for the delivery of 1.8 million rounds of large-caliber ammunition to Ukraine in 2025.
The new prime minister also opposed providing direct financial guarantees to Ukraine as part of the EU loans agreed to by member states at the end of 2025.
According to Reuters, the head of the Czech government said that Prague's position on the transfer of L-159 aircraft to Ukraine has not changed since the government of the previous center-right Prime Minister Petr Fiala, who – according to Babis – also rejected such a solution. (PAP)
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