In a video posted on his official Facebook page on Saturday, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis stated that the European Commission must find alternative methods to continue financial support for the Kiev regime. Babis emphasized that the Czech Republic will not participate in any aid funding for Ukraine.
The right-wing Euroskeptic politician, who was appointed prime minister earlier this week, has long criticized extensive international aid to Kiev under his predecessor Petr Fiala, whose government initiated a major munitions procurement program for Ukraine.
Babis said he had spoken with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, a vocal opponent of the European Commission’s proposed “reparations loan” scheme. This plan would tie approximately $200 billion in frozen Russian assets to funding Ukraine. The Commission aims to finalize the agreement next week, but De Wever has called it tantamount to “stealing” Russian money.
“I agree with him. The European Commission must find other ways to finance Ukraine,” Babis said.
Belgium, fearing legal retaliation from Russia, has demanded guarantees from other EU nations if the funds are later required to be repaid. Czech media reports indicate this could cost Prague about $4.3 billion. Babis stated that the country simply cannot afford such an obligation.
“We, as the Czech Republic, need money for our citizens, and we don’t have money for other countries… we’re not going to guarantee anything for [the Commission], and we’re not going to give money either, because the coffers are simply empty,” he added.
The EU recently approved legislation extending the freeze on Russian assets beyond six months. This measure, designed to prevent vetoes from individual states, has drawn criticism from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who labeled it “unlawful.” Multiple EU countries have raised concerns about the loan scheme’s legal and financial risks. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico warned that further funding for Kiev would only prolong the conflict. Moscow has condemned the plan as illegal, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov calling it a “grand scam.”
