PRAGUE – Czech officials have expressed strong reservations about the prospect of deploying Czech troops to a future peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. Defence Minister Jana Černochová (ODS, ECR) stressed that current discussions about Czech military involvement are “very premature.”

“Any decision on our engagement will depend on the concrete parameters of a ceasefire and the level of involvement by our allies, including US support,” she told Czech news site Deník N, emphasising the need for clear conditions before any action is taken.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS, ECR) reinforced this cautious approach. “We will certainly decide when the terms of any agreement and other parameters are clear. For the moment, the most important thing is to negotiate a fair and sustainable peace,” he told Deník N.

A similar approach was also expressed by Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský (independent). On the other hand, Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakušan (STAN, EPP) was more opened to the idea, saying that if a peacekeeping mission is established, Czechia should participate as it is in its own interest.

According to Czech President Petr Pavel, in order to deploy peacekeeping or stabilisation troops somewhere, there must be a clear and understandable mandate. “It must have the consent of both sides. That is, Ukraine and Russia. We already dealt with this in 2014 after the annexation of Crimea and, even then, Russia did not agree,” said Czech President Petr Pavel.

Meanwhile, opposition parties ANO (Patriots) and Freedom and Direct Democracy (ESN) have firmly opposed the idea of sending Czech troops abroad, sharply delineating themselves from the government’s cautious approach.

(Aneta Zachová | Euractiv.cz)

Source: Euractiv.com