'You have helped us immensely': Zelenskyy thanks Czechia for ongoing support

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed deep gratitude for Czech military assistance, particularly its leadership in the international ammunition initiative, during an official state visit to Prague Castle on Sunday.

President Petr Pavel hosted Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska for formal talks, reaffirming Czechia’s long-standing support for Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.

Following a ceremonial welcome in the first courtyard of the castle, the two leaders held bilateral discussions focused on battlefield developments, defense cooperation, and the prospects for future peace talks. In a joint press conference afterward, both presidents emphasized the shared interests of Ukraine and its European allies in resisting Russian expansionism.

A central topic of the meeting was the Czech-led effort to procure and deliver artillery ammunition to Ukraine. The initiative, announced earlier this year, involves sourcing shells from non-EU countries to quickly supply the Ukrainian military with urgently needed resources.

“The Czech ammunition initiative functions excellently,” Zelenskyy said during the press briefing. “You have helped us immensely. The Czech Republic is doing everything it can to stop Russian aggression.”

President Pavel highlighted how the effort has already begun to shift the balance on the battlefield. According to him, the previous ten-to-one advantage in ammunition held by Russian forces has been reduced to a ratio of two to one. “That is a tangible change,” Pavel noted.

Zelenskyy also stressed that Ukraine’s defense is directly tied to European security and urged European allies to impose further sanctions on Russia while boosting mutual defense cooperation. “Russia must know that Europeans will defend themselves,” he said.

Beyond immediate military needs, the presidents also addressed longer-term issues, including Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union and, eventually, NATO. Pavel reiterated Czechia’s support for Ukraine’s integration into Western institutions, calling it a matter of both principle and security.

“If an aggressive state is rewarded for its aggression, it will only be encouraged to pursue its goals by force,” Pavel said. “A just peace must not punish the victim and reward the aggressor.”

Zelenskyy echoed these sentiments, saying that Ukraine’s continued resilience and eventual peace depended on unified diplomatic pressure and lasting Western support. He added that cooperation on training Ukrainian pilots and diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire were also key points of discussion.

This marks Zelenskyy’s second visit to Prague since the war began in February 2022. He previously met with Czech officials in July 2023. President Pavel has made two visits to Ukraine during his term, including a trip to Dnipro in April 2023 and a follow-up visit in March of this year.

Zelenskyy is set to continue his diplomatic tour in Prague on Monday, with scheduled meetings with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Chamber of Deputies Speaker Markéta Pekarová Adamová, and Senate President Miloš Vystrčil.