'Case closed': Czech PM Babiš rejects L-159 aircraft for Ukraine
Photo: Andrej Babiš (GettyImages)
Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Andrej Babiš has put an end to discussions about a possible supply of L-159 light combat aircraft to Ukraine, stating that Kyiv will not receive them, according to Idnes.
"There are no L-159s and there will be none. This is a closed issue," the outlet quoted Babiš as saying.
The Czech prime minister also sharply criticized Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Army Karel Řehka, who had earlier publicly supported the idea of transferring the aircraft to Ukraine.
"It would have been better for Karel Řehka to keep quiet," Babiš said.
According to him, the general’s position contradicts statements by Defense Minister Jaromír Zuna, who stressed the need to keep the aircraft for the needs of the Czech army.
"He must decide on his position, he must know where he belongs. I do not understand why Mr. Řehka is speaking out against his own minister — this is abnormal," the prime minister said.
Babiš called the discussions surrounding a possible supply of L-159 aircraft to Ukraine an artificial issue and rejected any further debate on selling or transferring the planes.
Czech L-159 aircraft and Ukraine
Czech President Petr Pavel had previously spoken about the possible transfer of L-159 training-combat aircraft to Ukraine during a visit to Kyiv. He noted that such aircraft could be effective in countering drones.
However, the Czech government did not support the idea. Andrej Babiš has repeatedly stated that Prague does not plan to either sell or transfer L-159 aircraft to Ukraine free of charge.
At the same time, Chief of the General Staff Karel Řehka insisted that the transfer of four aircraft would not harm the country’s defense capabilities and recommended that the government donate them to Ukraine.
