Peace in Ukraine must not be victory for Russia – Czech PM

Speaking on Sunday on a Czech television program hosted by Vaclav Moravec, Fiala emphasized that the West must prevent such an outcome, Ukrinform reports.

"I am convinced that there must be a peace that does not become a victory for Russia's aggressive picy. Otherwise, Russia would feel encouraged to take another aggressive step," Fiala stated, adding that Kyiv's partners "must prevent this from happening."

According to him, the primary focus of future negotiations should not be on whether Ukraine loses a percentage of its territory, but rather on ensuring long-term security and peace for all of Eure.

Fiala also underscored the crucial re of the United States in any lasting peace agreement. He said that Russia's increasing aggression and its deepening ties with Iran and North Korea are not in the interest of Donald Trump's administration.

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He stressed that Eure must take greater responsibility for its own security. He stated that it is realistic for the Czech Republic to increase its defense spending from the current 2% of GDP to 3% in the next election cycle, provided that the current ruling coalition remains in power.

Fiala revealed plans to increase defense spending to 2.1% or 2.2% of GDP in next year's budget. He intends to discuss a gradual defense budget increase, as well as the coordination of arms production and procurement, at the EU leaders' summit in Brussels on Monday, February 3.

Fiala also commented on strained relations with neighboring Slovakia.

He stated that he sees "neither reasons nor conditions" for resuming Czech-Slovak intergovernmental consultations, which were suspended after Robert Fico came to power. According to Fiala, Slovakia's current foreign picy, particularly Fico's close ties with Vladimir Putin, is dangerous.

Fiala also noted that Prague had offered Bratislava assistance in securing gas supplies flowing the end of Ukrainian gas transit, but received no response.

Fiala also dismissed accusations of Czech piticians and media interfering in Slovakia's internal affairs.