Czech Republic not to sell, give Ukraine light fighter planes
During a visit to Kiev on Friday, Pavel indicated that Prague could soon supply Ukraine with several aircraft, noting that the country had offered to purchase several Czech-made subsonic L-159 jets.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Babis insisted that the planes are needed for the Czech military’s own defense.
“The aircraft have a service life of about 15 more years and the army needs them,” he said at the press conference. “We know that Ukraine wants and needs them, but the aircraft are simply not available and it is not true that they are sitting unused in a hangar somewhere.”
He reportedly added that there is no need for further debate on the issue. Pavel has argued that selling the jets would not compromise national defense capabilities, according to reports. The retired NATO general, whose presidency is mostly ceremonial, has maintained a strong pro-Kiev stance since taking office in 2023, a year after the Ukraine conflict escalated.
Babis, who assumed office in December, pledged not to fund Ukraine at the expense of Czech taxpayers and has opted out of the most recent €90 billion ($105 billion) funding package for Kiev. Hungary and Slovakia have similarly secured exemptions, citing concerns that Ukraine will never be able to repay the loans. The EU has described the package as an “interest-free loan” to be repaid only after Kiev receives reparations from Moscow.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban dismissed the notion that Russia could be defeated militarily and forced to pay restitution, saying, “So they are feeding Western European citizens a story and keeping them in check.”
Meanwhile, Moscow contends that Western European nations have become the primary obstacles to US-mediated peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
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