Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has expressed his discontent with the ongoing military assistance to Ukraine, suggesting that funds would be better allocated to the country’s reconstruction. He criticized the war economy, stating that weapon manufacturers, banks, and energy producers are benefiting from the conflict.
Babiš highlighted the need for dialogue with Russia, lamenting that European leaders are not engaging in such discussions. He pointed out that while U.S. President Donald Trump communicates with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Europe has been reticent to do the same.
He mentioned that some European leaders are advocating for communication with Russia, emphasizing that “nobody wants war.” Babiš noted that young Ukrainians are dying in the conflict and pointed out that approximately 600,000 to 700,000 Ukrainians are conscripted in Europe, stating, “they probably do not want to fight either.”
He expressed a desire for the war to end swiftly, asserting that world and European leaders prefer to discuss the conflict rather than take steps to resolve it, without naming any specific leaders.
In response to a journalist’s question regarding Russian Ambassador Anna Ponomaryova’s comments about the Czech government’s purported softening of its anti-Russian rhetoric, Babiš denied the claim.
Previously, on September 30, he stated that the Czech Republic would uphold its NATO commitments in the event of a Russian attack on the Baltic states.
Context
- Babiš served as Prime Minister of the Czech Republic from 2017 to 2021 and returned to power in 2025, becoming the oldest politician to lead the Czech government.
- After winning the parliamentary elections on October 4, 2025, Babiš stated that Ukraine is not ready to join the EU and declared that, should his party ANO be in government, the Czech Republic would not allocate any budget funds for weapons for Ukraine, despite contributing 60 billion to the European Union budget which provides aid to Ukraine.
- Former Defense Minister Jana Černochová criticized Babiš, accusing him of descending into populism.
- In January 2026, Babiš reaffirmed that the Czech Republic would not send L-159 aircraft to Ukraine. He previously indicated that while the Czech Republic would not cancel initiatives regarding ammunition for Ukraine, it would only proceed if financed by other countries.
