Czech leading politician breaks silence on Ukraine joining EU
Andrej Babiš, leader of the ANO political party and former Prime Minister of Czechia (Photo: Getty Images)
Andrej Babiš, whose party is leading in the Czech parliamentary elections, stated that Ukraine is allegedly not ready to join the European Union, according to the Suspilne Telegram channel.
While speaking with journalists, Babiš said he had met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy three times. He emphasized that he has supported Zelenskyy since the annexation of Crimea and that Czechia helps Ukraine through the EU.
“The EU is helping Ukraine, and it is within the European budget. We pay a lot of money to the European budget, and in this way how we will continue to help,” he said.
At the same time, he said that the ammunition procurement initiative launched by Czechia should be taken over by NATO. As for Ukraine’s accession to the EU, he stated that he does not believe the country is ready for it.
“We have to end the war first, and we will, of course, we can cooperate with Ukraine, but you are not ready for the EU,” he told reporters.
Elections in Czechia
Parliamentary elections were held in Czechia on October 3–4. The leading political force is the ANO movement, headed by oligarch and former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš.
The second place is held by the SPOLU coalition of parties led by current Prime Minister Petr Fiala.
To learn what these elections could mean for Ukraine, read the article by RBC-Ukraine.
