Matsinka made the visit by train against the backdrop of a massive air strike by the aggressor country of the Russian Federation on the night of January 9.
Earlier, on January 6, the Czech minister held negotiations with the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Andrei Sibiga, during which they discussed the exchange of statements between Kyiv and Prague after offensive statements about the leadership of Ukraine by the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies (lower house of the Czech Parliament) Tomio Okamura.
“We are turning the page and will continue to communicate,” Matsinka emphasized on January 9 in Kyiv after a meeting with Sibiga.
He also talked about his contacts with Okamura.
“Messages came from him: “The main thing is that nothing happens to you. Be careful and come back in good health.” Therefore, I have a very correct relationship with Mr. Okamura,” Matsinka said.
According to him, Prague will continue to clarify the needs of Ukraine and look for opportunities to supply ammunition within the framework of the Czech initiative.
“The organization is much more important than the small budget contributions that the previous government talked about,” Matsinka said.
Sibiga, who was present at the press conference, added that he “completely agrees” with the Czech minister’s assessment.
“We have turned this page. Ukraine has responded to these statements, provocative statements, unfriendly towards Ukraine, the leadership of Ukraine. Of course, we cannot remain silent on this, and we will always react. This is our right. But we proceed from the fact that our people deserve positive dynamics in the development of bilateral dialogue. And we also discussed this in great detail with the Minister,” said the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.
Context
In his New Year's speech, Okamura called the entourage of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky a “junta” that is “building toilets out of gold” and criticized the European Union for supporting Kyiv.
Ukrainian Ambassador to the Czech Republic Vasily Zvarych called Okamura's statement “offensive and full of hatred.” The diplomat added that the words that the Czech speaker allowed himself regarding Ukraine were “undignified and absolutely unacceptable.”
Macinka then stated that he “does not consider it appropriate for the ambassador of a foreign state to publicly evaluate the statements of one of the highest constitutional officials of the Czech Republic.” Czech Prime Minister Andrei Babis also expressed complaints against the Ukrainian ambassador.
Sibiga stood up for Zvarych, saying that he “did absolutely the right thing by reacting to the outrageous insults” against Ukraine and its leadership, “and he did it diplomatically.” “All our ambassadors are tasked with defending the dignity of Ukraine,” Sibiga emphasized.
