March, donate, unite: Czechia marks two years since invasion of Ukraine this weekend

This weekend, Czechia will mark two years since the onset of the full-scale war in Ukraine through a series of gatherings, marches, debates, and concerts. The Day for Ukraine will feature a Saturday rally at Old Town Square, attended by President Petr Pavel, and an accompanying video message from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Today, Pavel met with Ukrainian war refugees at Prague Castle and participated in a debate on the invasion anniversary. On Saturday, he will speak at the Together for Ukraine rally at Old Town Square, organized by the European Congress of Ukrainians, People in Need, Million Moments for Democracy, and Memory of the Nations.

In addition, a group of 17 EU ambassadors will present anti-drone equipment to the Ukrainian embassy in Prague later today. The German embassy stated: "The event aims to remind that Ukraine still needs support and that every help counts."

The Day for Ukraine's program will begin on Saturday with a concert for children and their parents at the Forum Karlín. Later in the day, the March for Ukraine will commence at the statue of Taras Shevchenko at náměstí Kinských and continue to the monument to the victims of communism and then onto Charles Bridge before ending at Old Town Square.

Organizers will also read the Memory of the Nations manifesto, calling on European leaders to continue supporting Ukraine's fight against Russia and providing necessary ammunition.

Amálie Kovářová, a spokesperson for the rally, stated: "We must remain active and remind society that it is a long run, but we are here, and we are ready to persevere." 

Czechia has been an ardent supporter of Ukraine – donating billions of crowns in aid and military equipment – although public opinion has slowly cooled down its initial strong support for Ukraine. A 2023 opinion poll found that Czechs’ support for their country accepting Ukranian refugees decreased markedly since spring 2022, declining by almost 20 percentage points.

Just over half (56 percent) of Czechs support Ukrainian refugees’ temporary acceptance into the country, down from 75 percent a few months after the outbreak of the widescale war.

A separate opinion poll from the Czech Center for Public Opinion Research found that Ukraine ranked third-last in a survey asking Czechs how “sympathetic” they felt towards other countries.

Both Pavel and Prime Minister Petr Fiala have pledged unequivocally to continue supporting Ukraine. Both also sharply criticized the actions of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in 2023 when he moved to block EU funding to Ukraine. Fiala has also expressed his support for Ukraine joining NATO and the EU soon after the war ends.

Czechia has donated tons of military materiel to the war-torn country and plans to continue to do so. It has given Ukraine 62 tanks, 131 infantry fighting vehicles, six helicopters, and 16 air defense systems.

Going forward, Pavel said last week that it will send almost 1 million pieces of ammunition to Ukraine. The Czech Republic is also leading an initiative in Europe seeking to collect USD 1.5 billion (CZK 35 billion) for ammunition for Ukraine.

Czechia has also hosted around 5,000 Ukrainian soldiers on its own land, helping train them. 

Members of the public and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have substantially aided Ukraine’s cause. NGOs such as People In Need have sent around CZK 5 billion to Ukraine in the last two years. 

Crowd fundraising campaigns, such as those by Dárek pro Putina, have raised almost CZK 1 billion from the Czech public. Notable examples include the collection of over CZK 33 million for a military tank that was sent eastwards.