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Czech Opposition Leader Babiš Rejects State Funding for Ukraine Military Aid
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Andrej Babiš, leader of the ANO party that won Czechia’s recent parliamentary elections, announced that if his political force forms a new government, it will not allocate state budget funds for military aid to Ukraine.
This was reported by ČTK on October 8.
Speaking at a press conference, Babiš commented on Czechia’s international initiative to supply artillery shells to Ukraine, describing it as acceptable but claiming that it should have been organized “directly by NATO member states” and conducted transparently. He alleged that a private entity profited from the project by “tens of billions,” without specifying which company.
“If we are in government, we will say: Czech arms companies, you want to export weapons to Ukraine? No problem,” Babiš said.
The party leader also emphasized that Czechia contributes “60 billion to the European Union budget,” which, he noted, supports Ukraine.
“We will not give a single crown from the state budget for weapons for Ukraine. We don’t have money for Czechia. I think we have already helped Ukraine directly, and from now on, assistance should go through the EU,” he stated.
A day earlier, reports indicated that the Czech political party ANO — which won the recent parliamentary elections — does not plan to cancel the country’s landmark ammunition initiative for Ukraine, despite growing calls for increased oversight and transparency.
Party leader Andrej Babiš described the initiative as “a generally good idea,” but said it should be reviewed and potentially placed under NATO supervision.
Previously, Czech President Petr Pavel cautioned that ending the Czech-led ammunition initiative for Ukraine would weaken both Kyiv’s defense against Russia and Czechia’s own national interests.
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