Czech Petition Apologizing to Ukraine Gains More Than 30,000 Signatures After Okamura’s Remarks

A Czech teacher and local mayor has launched a petition apologizing to Ukraine for remarks made by far-right Czech politician Tomio Okamura, drawing tens of thousands of signatures within days, Idnes reported on January 4.

Antonín Kolář, a teacher and mayor of the village of Semněvice, addressed the petition to Ukrainian Ambassador to Czechia Vasyl Zvarych, saying he felt compelled to apologize for statements by Tomio Okamura that he described as contradicting historical facts and basic principles of humanity and solidarity.

Kolář wrote that Okamura represents only a minority of Czech society, despite the prominence his public office gives him, Idnes wrote.

The petition, which gathered more than 30,000 signatures in a matter of days, argues that many people in Czechia feel solidarity and gratitude toward Ukraine and see its resistance to Russia’s invasion as a defense of democratic values and the principle that borders cannot be changed by force.

Kolář also referenced Russian war crimes, including the killings in Bucha and the destruction of Mariupol, according to Idnes.

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Kolář’s initiative followed a New Year’s speech in which Okamura criticized military aid to Ukraine, opposed its EU membership, and used derogatory language about Ukrainian leadership. Okamura later said he stood by his remarks, rejecting accusations that they echoed Russian propaganda.

Zvaryč responded by calling Okamura’s statements unacceptable and aligned with Kremlin narratives. The controversy has since escalated into domestic political fallout, with opposition parties signaling they will seek a parliamentary vote on Okamura’s removal from his leadership post.

Previously, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said the Czechia’s total spending on aid to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion has reached 4.3$ billion, while state revenues connected to this support exceed expenditures by 607$ million.

Speaking after a cabinet meeting, Fiala stressed that claims suggesting the Czech state is “losing money” on Ukraine are false.

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