Czech news in brief for April 19: Sunday's top afternoon headlines

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has included Czechia among countries it claims assisted Nazi Germany during World War II, according to remarks by spokesperson Maria Zakharova. She named several European states in the same context during comments marking a Russian memorial day for Soviet war victims. The statement has no legal backing and forms part of ongoing Russian historical narratives. Czechia has not officially responded to the allegation.

Baby food jars distributed in Czechia and Slovakia were found to contain rat poison, the manufacturer HiPP confirmed. The affected products were removed from sale and a broader recall is underway across multiple countries. One jar was reportedly discovered in a store in Brno. Police are investigating the case, which the company says is not linked to production quality issues. Consumers are urged to check for tampered packaging and avoid suspicious products.

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said the Czech government will prioritize pragmatic foreign policy over values-based approaches, defending its refusal to provide a state plane for a Senate trip to Taiwan. He argued past policies harmed business ties with China. The planned visit by Senate Speaker Miloš Vystrčil has drawn criticism from opposition leaders, who say the move is politically motivated. The government maintains it aims to protect Czech economic interests abroad.

A dispute has emerged over who will represent Czechia at the July NATO summit, with the government insisting its delegation must fully support its policies. Deputy PM Karel Havlíček said President Petr Pavel’s participation is not necessary due to differing views. The opposition criticized the move, calling it politically motivated. The government has approved a delegation led by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, while Pavel has expressed interest in attending.

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said Czechia should consider joining a European nuclear deterrence initiative proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron. He did not specify what form participation would take but called France a key ally. The idea has received cautious reactions from government representatives, with some favouring the U.S. nuclear umbrella. Macron has called for stronger European defence cooperation, including missile detection, air defence, and long-range strike capabilities.