Leftists and other progressive sections in the Czech Republic are protesting the government’s involvement in the Ukraine-Russia crisis. On Saturday, January 29, on the call of the Czech Peace Movement (CMH), several groups including the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSCM), Young Communists (MK) and the Communist Youth Union (KSM), demonstrated in front of the general staff building of the Czech army at Victory Square in Prague, protesting the government’s decision to provide Ukraine with armaments and support NATO’s maneuvers. Protesters condemned the pro-war policies of the incumbent coalition government led by prime minister Petr Fiala.
According to reports, on January 26, the Czech defense ministry agreed to supply 4,006 stored 152-millimeter shells worth USD 1.7 million to Ukraine for free. A tense situation prevails in Europe over the question of Ukraine and NATO’s expansion. The Russians have presented a series of demands, including keeping Ukraine and Georgia out of NATO, limits on military exercises, and restrictions on missile deployment in its vicinity. The US and NATO have, at least officially, refused the key demand regarding the latter’s expansion but have indicated their willingness to discuss other issues. While Russia has moved troops to its border with Ukraine, it has time and again stated that it has no intention of attacking its neighbor. However, the US and many of its allies continue to insist that war might break out any moment. Many NATO members have also promised or supplied Ukraine with ammunition and other provisions.
Peace groups and anti-war and anti-imperialist organizations across the world have appealed to both camps to de-escalate and resort to diplomatic means to resolve the conflict.
Watch | Mapping Faultlines: Ukraine dials down war talk
On January 26, Milan Krajca, vice-president of the KSCM central committee, stated that the Czech communists reject the government’s plan to send ammunition to Ukraine adhering to NATO’s war machinations. According to him, the Czech defense minister, Jana Černochová, also plans to send soldiers of the Czech Republic Army to Ukraine.
“The Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSCM) definitely does not agree with the Czech Republic contributing to increasing the danger of war. KSCM promotes de-escalation of tensions in Europe and solving the crisis related to the situation in Ukraine through peaceful and diplomatic means on the basis of international law, the UN Charter and the Minsk Agreements. Even in connection with the current events, the communists again declare their efforts to change the foreign policy of the Czech Republic in such a way that it is based on peaceful international cooperation. That is also why the KSCM confirms its long-standing and determined efforts for our country’s absence from an aggressive NATO military pact,” Krajca said.
