Members of the Committee on National Security, Defence and Intelligence of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine held a meeting with a delegation of the Parliament of the Czech Republic headed by Pavel Zacek, Chairman of the Security and Defence Committee.
Chairman of the Committee, Oleksandr Zavitnevych, emphasized the special role of the Czech Republic as one of the first partners to extend a helping hand to Ukraine following the onset of the full-scale invasion. «Prague has consistently supported Ukraine — from the provision of weaponry to participation in key international security initiatives. For us, this partnership holds not only military but also strategic political value», he stated.
During the meeting, an open and substantive exchange of views took place on the overall security situation in Europe and globally, particularly in the context of the U.S. President’s initiative aimed at ending the war launched by the russian federation. At the request of their Czech counterparts, Ukrainian parliamentarians provided updates on the situation at the front, Ukraine’s achievements in the defense-industrial sector, as well as the Committee’s areas of work and the needs of the Defense Forces.
The discussion covered issues of bilateral cooperation and the implementation of agreements reached during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to the Czech Republic, particularly regarding the training of Ukrainian pilots and the further deepening of cooperation in the military and innovation sectors. Particular attention was given to supporting Ukraine on its path toward membership in the EU and NATO, scaling up joint efforts in arms and military equipment production, and enhancing the effectiveness and funding of the «Czech Initiative».
The Czech side reaffirmed its unwavering support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, expressed admiration for the resilience of the Ukrainian people, and emphasized that Ukraine’s struggle is a fight for all of Europe and the free world. “We are grateful to the Czech people, members of parliament, and the country’s leadership for their consistent and steadfast support of our state during the most challenging times,” emphasized Oleksandr Zavitnevych.