Czechia is currently working to send shells to Ukraine.
Military commitments
1.263bn € (Rank: 11)
0.492% of GDP (Rank: 8)
Humanitarian commitments
0.072bn € (Rank: 24)
0.028% of GDP (Rank: 16)
Financial commitments
no aid pledged (Rank: n/a)
no aid pledged(Rank: n/a)
Video from Zelenskyy TG, in Kyiv, Text of From Ukrainian Foreign Ministry
BILATERAL COOPERATION BETWEEN UKRAINE AND CZECHIA
POLITICAL DIALOGUE
THE CZECH REPUBLIC
1. Recognition of Ukraine: December 8, 1991
2. The establishment of diplomatic relations: January 1, 1993
3. Political relations:
Current Ukrainian-Czech political relations began even before the existence of the Czechoslovak Federation. On December 8, 1991, the Czechoslovak Federal Republic (CSFR) recognized the independence of Ukraine, and diplomatic relations between the two states were established on January 30, 1992. In May 1992, the Prime Minister of the CSFR, Marian Chalfa, during a visit to Ukraine, initialled the Treaty on Good Neighborhood and Friendly Relations, which, however, was not signed – since on January 1, 1993, the CSFR was peacefully divided into two independent states – the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic.
The countdown to the recent history of Ukrainian-Czech relations began on January 1, 1993. Ukraine was one of the first countries in the world to establish diplomatic relations with the Czech Republic on January 1, 1993, the first day of the Czech Republic’s existence as an independent state.
From the very beginning, cooperation between Ukraine and the Czech Republic was characterized by dynamic development in the political, economic, and cultural spheres, active formation of the international agreements basis, and revival of bilateral contacts at various levels.
With the accession of the Czech Republic to the EU on May 1, 2004, Ukrainian-Czech relations reached a qualitatively new level.
During 2005, three high-level visits took place, which gave new impetus to Ukrainian-Czech cooperation: on February 9-10, a parliamentary delegation led by the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine V. Lytvyn paid an official visit to Prague, on May 10, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic C.Svoboda visited Ukraine, and on June 14-16 took place the state visit to Ukraine of the President of the Czech Republic V. Klaus.
On December 19, 2011, the official visit of the Prime Minister of Ukraine to the Czech Republic took place.
On September 10-12, 2013, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine paid a visit to the Czech Republic, and on October 20-22, 2013 took place the official visit of the President of the Czech Republic to Ukraine.
In January 2019, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, T. Petrshichek, paid a working visit to Ukraine, and in November of the same year, the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, A. Babish, paid an official visit.
In February 2020, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine V. Prystaiko paid a working visit to Prague, during which the work of the “Ukrainian-Czech Forum” was launched, which aims to promote dialogue at the level of civil society.
In 2021, the positive dynamics in Ukrainian-Czech relations continued, in particular, on August 22-25, the Chairman of the Senate (upper house) of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, M.Vystrchil, paid an official visit to Ukraine.
The key elements of the program of his visit were participation in the founding Summit of the Crimean Platform, events to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Independence of Ukraine, meetings with the President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine D. Razumkov, the leader of the Crimean Tatars M. Dzhemilev, the Chairman of the Mejlis R. Chubarov, as well as a visit to the Chongar checkpoint on the administrative border of the occupied Crimea with the mainland of Ukraine.
In October 2021, the First Deputy Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic J. Ruzhichka took part in events in connection with the 80th anniversary of the Babyn Yar tragedy.
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Czech Republic has become one of the closest partners of our state in Europe, which demonstrates incredible solidarity with our country in all spheres. Despite the war, Ukrainian-Czech bilateral contacts have significantly intensified.
On March 15, 2022, the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, P. Fiala, paid a working visit to Ukraine with the Prime Ministers of Poland and Slovenia, during which they met with the President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy and the Prime Minister of Ukraine D. Shmyhal.
On June 15, 2022, the President of Ukraine, V. Zelenskyy, delivered a speech before the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic.
On July 14-15, 2022, the Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine O. Stefanishyna paid a working visit to the Czech Republic with the aim of participating in an informal meeting of European Affairs Ministers within the framework of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU.
The contacts at the inter-parliamentary level have significantly intensified. On April 14, 2022, the Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic M. Vystrchil paid a working visit to Ukraine.
In March and June 2022, the Special Envoy of the President of Ukraine, First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine O. Kornienko and Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine O. Kondratyuk visited the Czech Republic.
On June 21, 2022, President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy had a telephone conversation with Czech Prime Minister P. Fiala about the upcoming European Council meeting, during which the issue of granting Ukraine the EU candidate status was considered. P. Fiala assured the Ukrainian President that the Czech Republic would support the decision to grant Ukraine the status of an EU candidate during the European Council meeting.
On July 4, 2022, on the sidelines of the International Conference on the Recovery of Ukraine in Lugano, Prime Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Shmyhal held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of the Czech Republic P. Fiala to discuss further steps to counter Russian aggression and ways to implement the Recovery Plan for Ukraine.
On August 23, 2022, at the invitation of President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic P. Fiala took part in the summit of the international Crimean Platform, which took place online.
On October 6, 2022, Prime Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Shmyhal paid a working visit to the Czech Republic to participate in the First Meeting of the European Political Community. During the visit, the Prime Minister of Ukraine also held negotiations with the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic P. Fiala.
On October 31, 2022, a delegation of the Czech Republic headed by Prime Minister P. Fiala visited Ukraine to hold the first Ukrainian-Czech intergovernmental consultations, which was another confirmation of the country’s comprehensive support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. During the visit, P. Fiala also held bilateral negotiations with Prime Minister of Ukraine D. Shmyhal and President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy.
The meetings resulted in the signing of a Joint Statement in which the Prime Ministers of Ukraine and the Czech Republic called on the international community to toughen sanctions pressure on Russia. The President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic also signed a Joint Declaration on Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic perspective, which states “the Czech side’s support for Ukraine’s NATO membership prospects.”
The Czech Republic remains a reliable partner of Ukraine in the international arena, primarily in support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our state, consistently supports Ukraine’s European integration and Euro-Atlantic course, and also provides assistance in resisting Russian aggression.
MILITARY GEAR (WIKIPEDIA SOURCED)
REBUILD SOURCING FOR ALL GEAR:
FOR INITIAL POSTING: On the first day of full-scale invasion, the Czech Republic presented the Ukrainian ambassador in Prague with a detailed “10 cm thick folder” listing weapons that were ready for immediate transfer.[70] The first trainload of military aid was delivered to Ukraine already on 27 February 2022.[71] The Czech Republic later also became the first country to send heavy military equipment in April 2022 (including 38 T-72 tanks from army’s deep storage), and afterwards, again, the first country to send combat aircraft (4 modern Mil Mi-24V from Czech Air Force’s operational stock). As of beginning of February 2023, the Czech Republic donated equipment worth CZK 10 billion (~ €420 million) from Czech Army stock or purchased from private Czech companies.[72] Meanwhile, Czech arms companies realized commercial sales and deliveries worth CZK 30 billion (~ €1,27 billion), either through direct purchase by Ukraine or by other countries supporting Ukraine, while sales and deliveries worth further CZK 35 billion (~ €1,6 billion) were approved and yet to be fulfilled.[72] By July 2023, 676 pieces of heavy equipment were delivered from the Czech Republic to Ukraine.[73] Historically, Russia had been trying to disrupt Czech deliveries of weapons to Ukraine, most prominently by the GRU‘s 2014 Vrbětice ammunition warehouses explosions. Training and rehabilitation Before 24 February 2022
- 1,200 Ukrainian soldiers at Vyšpoint Military Academy by combined Czech-British team of instructors (The British Military Advisory Training Team based in the Czech Republic), with particular focus on training of non-commissioned officers[74][75]
After 24 February 2022
EUMAM five-week training courses provided primarily by the 7th mechanized brigade.
- First rotation in December 2022: 700 – mechanized infantry; 40 – logistics; 10 – radiological, chemical & biological defense; 20 – army engineers specialists [76][77]
- Second rotation in February 2023: ~700 Ukrainian soldiers, mostly mechanized infantry; also training for paramedics, radiological, chemical & biological defense, army engineers specialists.[78]
- Third rotation in April 2023: 650 – mechanized infantry trained within the Czech Republic; Czech Army Engineers instructors sent to Poland to train Ukrainian Army Engineers therein.[79]
- EUMAM four-week training courses for Ukrainian Army specialists (medics, snipers, army engineers, chemical defense) by Czech Army instructors within Poland
- ~400 soldiers trained between April and August 2023[80]
- Treatment of wounded Ukrainian soldiers [from August 2022 onwards].[81]
- Training courses for pilots [announced in July 2023][73]
Tanks (177+) [of which 114 delivered by April 2023] From Czech Army’s deep storage:
38 T-72M1 [April 2022][82] (Germany later included the Czech Republic in June 2022 in its Ringtausch program, promising 14 Leopard 2A4 MBTs and 1 Büffel ARV as replacement.)- 12 T-72M1 [April 2023][83]
- 12 T-72M1 [May 2023][84]
Purchased by Ukraine and/or paid by the Czech Republic or third countries:
- 16 refurbished (not modernized) T-72M1 and T-55 (from private company Excalibur Army stock) [Spring 2022][85][86]
- 11 T-72 Avenger (from private company Excalibur Army’s stock) [Spring 2022][85][86]
Paid by USA & the Netherlands:
90 T-72 Avenger (with option for further 30,[86] manufactured by Excalibur Army, purchase and upgrade financed by USA and the Netherlands), [delivered from December 2022 onwards; 37 handed over by 21 April 2023[87]][39][88]
Infantry fighting vehicles (226+)[72]
- 45 BVP-1 from the Czech Army’s deep storage [April 2022][39][89]
- 56 PbV-501 from Excalibur Army’s stock [spring 2022][39][90]
- 125 unspecified [before 24 Feb 2023][72]
Attack helicopters (17)
- Mil Mi-24V attack helicopters
- Mil Mi-35 attack helicopters (made in 2003 – 2005 and underwent deep refurbishment, modernization in ~2017, from the Czech Army’s operational stock)
- 10 pcs (remaining Czech stock) [July 2023][73]
Self-propelled artillery (50+)
- Undisclosed number of 122mm 2S1 Gvozdika [April 2022].[39]
- 13 152mm ShKH vz. 77 DANA from the Czech Army’s deep storage (delivered with at least 4,006 artillery shells) [April 2022].[82]
- ~30 152mm DANA M2 newly made by Excalibur Army along with “thousands” of 152mm DN1CZ extended range artillery shells) [Deliveries of 24 ordered from December 2022 onwards, unspecified number delivered before].[93]
Towed artillery
Multiple rocket launchers (35+)[72][94] Legacy MLRS
- 12 122mm RM-70 Grad from Czech Army deep storage [April 2022].[82]
- Undisclosed number of 122mm RM-70 Grad from Czech arms companies.
- Undisclosed number of 122mm BM-21 Grad [May or June 2022].[39]
Modern MLRS
- Undisclosed number of 122mm RM-70 Vampire made by Excalibur Army [July 2022].[39]
- Undisclosed number of 122mm BM-21 MT Grad made by Excalibur Army [April 2023][95]
Heavy mortars (128+)[82]
- Undisclosed number of 120mm PRAM-L heavy mortars[39]
- Unspecified other mortars [before 24 Feb 2023][82][96]
Electronic warfare & ISTAR
Self-propelled air defense systems (121)
- 6 9K35 Strela-10M [March or April 2022].[72]
- 100 MR2 Viktor made by Excalibur Army, paid by Netherlands [delivery starting from March 2022 onwards].[86]
- 2 2K12 Kub air defense batteries (16 vehicles[84]) along with “large quantity” of rockets [to be delivered][97]
Man-portable air defence systems (291)
- 160 9K32 Strela-2 [March 2022] from Czech Army reserves[82]
- 144 unspecified MANPADS[98]
Anti-tank weapons
Small arms
From Czech Army reserves:
- 30,150 vz. 82 pistols [February 2022].[99]
- 2,085 vz. 61 Škorpion machine pistols [February 2022].[99]
- 5,000 vz. 58 assault rifles [February 2022].[99]
- 3,200 UK vz. 59 machine guns [February 2022] [99]
- 12 Dragunov marksman rifles [February 2022].[99]
- 19 Falcon anti-materiel rifles [February 2022].[99]
Ammunition
- Over 4 million[73] shells [by July 2023] of which 17,400 mortar shells[96] and 57,432[84] artillery shells [by May 2023] were donated from Czech Army reserves
- 60,000 rockets,[72] of which 4,900 were donated from Czech Army reserves [before 24 Feb 2023][82]
- Undisclosed number of small arms rounds, of which 4,263,000 rounds of small arms ammunition donated from Czech Army reserves [before 24 Feb 2023][96]
- Deliveries of 155mm ammunition, e.g. via European Defense Agency.[25] Annual manufacturing capacity:
- STV Group: 120,000 pcs[100]
- Czechoslovak Group: Unknown
Miscellaneous equipment From Czech Army stock:
- 5 radiological, chemical & biological defense reconnaissance vehicles [before 24 Feb 2023][82][96]
- 47 unspecified vehicles [before 24 Feb 2023][96]
- 2 pontoon bridges [June 2022].[39]
- 900 meters of interim bridges [before 24 Feb 2023][101][72]
- Military medical supplies[96]
- Radiation, chemical and biological protection material[96]
- Military clothing and equipment[96]
- Fuel, spare parts, transport and other material[96]
- F-16 compatible flight simulators [July 2023][73]
Other:
- Tactical decoys [before February 2023][102]
HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES (WIKIPEDIA SOURCED)
- 113.1 million crowns for the financing of community soup kitchens and the transport of humanitarian aid.[61]
- 1.5 billion crowns ($66 million) to provide refugees with accommodation, food and hygiene products.[62]
- €22 million to Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees in Moldova.[63]
- 70 million crowns for hot meals, hygiene products and school suplies for refugees in Moldova.[61]
- 300 million crowns ($13.2 million) for humanitarian aid for civilians in Ukraine.[64]
- €18 million in humanitarian aid [63]
- 70 million crowns for shelters [61]
Defense Industries Forum
The first Defense Industries Forum was held. Very successful.
Meet with President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel
Glad to meet with President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel. Thank you for the fact that with weapons for Ukraine, sanctions against Russia, support
4. Trade and economic relations:
According to the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, in 2022 the commercial turnover of foreign trade in goods and services with the Czech Republic totalized 2874,4 million US dollars (it was less for 6,0% or 181,9 million US dollars than in 2021), of which exports – 1294,9 million US dollars, imports – 1577,5 million US dollars.
During the mentioned period, trade in goods amounted to: Ukrainian exports – 1252,1 million US dollars, imports – 1539,6 million US dollars.
According to the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, the structure of trade in goods with the Czech Republic in 2022 was the following:
in exports: ores, slag and ash – 45,3%; electric machines – 17,0%; wood and wood products – 6,2%; ferrous metals – 3,1%; organic chemical compounds – 2,7%;
in imports: mineral fuels, oil and products of its distillation – 15,8%; land transport (except railway) – 15,6%; electric machines – 9,7%; nuclear reactors, boilers, machines – 7,3%; plastics.
Trade in services amounted to: Ukrainian exports – 71,1 million US dollars, imports – 37,9 million US dollars.
The structure of trade in services with the Czech Republic in 2022 was the following:
In exports: material resources – 40,0%; transport services – 21,6%; services for the processing of telecommunications, computer and information services – 19,6%; business services – 13,4%.
in imports: telecommunications, computer and information services – 22,2%; transport services – 21,1%; insurance – 20,9%; business services – 12,7%; royalties and other services related to intellectual property – 10,1%.
5. Legal base:
The legal base of bilateral relations consists of 57 documents.
Key documents:
Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Czech Republic for the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments (17.03.1994 р.);
Treaty on good neighbourly relations and cooperation between Ukraine and the Czech Republic (26.04.1995 р.);
Treaty between Ukraine and the Czech Republic on legal assistance in civil cases (28.05.2001 р.);
Treaty between Ukraine and the Czech Republic on social security (25.07.2003 р.);
Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the Czech Republic on economic, industrial and scientific and technical cooperation (16.04.2004 р.);
Protocol to the Convention between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Czech Republic on the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion regarding taxes on income and property (valid since December 9, 2015, applied since January 1, 2016);
Implementation protocol to the Agreement between Ukraine and the EU on the readmission of persons (concluded on 21.10.2013);
Agreement between the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic on mutual control of the quality of defense products in the implementation of military-technical cooperation from 21.10.2013.
6. Cultural and humanitarian cooperation:
The cultural cooperation between Ukraine and the Czech Republic is based on the Agreement on cooperation in the field of culture between the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine and the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic (signed on 15 December 2016). In 2021, the second meeting of the Ukrainian-Czech Civil Forum under the auspices of the Foreign Ministers of Ukraine and the Czech Republic took place, and the participants also agreed on the need to strengthen cultural cooperation between our countries.
With the signing of the agreement, humanitarian cooperation between our countries has been significantly intensified. Alone with the support of the Embassy, dozens of cultural, social or commemorative events have been organized throughout the Czech Republic, that significantly improved positive image of Ukraine in Czechia.
The participation of Ukrainian artists in local art festivals of international scale is becoming systematic. As Ukrainian film industry has flourished in recent years, these have included the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, the Jihlava Documentary Film Festival, One World Film Festival, and the International Film School in Uherské Hradiště. In Prague and Brno, Ukrainian films are screened annually as part of the Ukrainian Film Week, with the participation of filmmakers and other Ukrainian guests.
Every year, Ukrainian literature is presented at the Prague International Book Fair, in which Ukraine has been a regular participant since 2015. In 2015, Ukraine was the main guest of the literary festival Month of Ukrainian Reading in Brno and Ostrava, which was attended by 31 writers. Recordings of the readings, as well as short documentary films “Ukrainian Reading” about the writers are freely available online. In recent years, quite a lot of translations of Ukrainian literature for children and adults have been published.
As the Russian war in Ukraine wages on, Czech musicians and artist are performing benefit concerts, art exhibitions in solidarity, with many of the event proceeds going to humanitarian efforts or to support Ukrainian Army.
7. Scientific and Educational Cooperation
Scientific and technical cooperation between Ukraine and the Czech Republic develops within the framework of the implementation of the Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the Czech Republic on Scientific and Technical Cooperation, which was concluded on 19 December 2011 and ratified by the Ukrainian Parliament on 17 May 2017, and the Agreement on Scientific Cooperation between the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NAS of Ukraine) and the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (CAS of the Czech Republic), signed on 31 October 2000.
Both Ukraine and Czechia have advanced research and development sectors of their national economies that lay the basis for the implementation of the joint projects in this field.
Currently, both countries enjoy the dynamic partnership in the fields as follows:
– IT;
– the electricity sector;
– environmental science and sustainable use of natural resources;
– biotechnology and the prevention of diseases;
– new chemical substances and materials;
– engineering;
– social sciences, humanities, arts.
There is an ongoing development in cooperation between Ukrainian and Czech universities. The Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv is actively cooperating with the Brno University of Technology and the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences. The Kherson State University is cooperating with the Institute of Botany of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. V. Ye. Lashkaryov Institute of Semiconductor Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine cooperates with the Institute of Physics of the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics of Charles University. The B. I. Vierkin Institute of Physics and Technology of Low Temperatures of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine cooperates with the Institute of Physics of Materials of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. The Kyiv National University of Technology and Design cooperates with the Technical University of Liberec. The Lviv National Ivan Franko University cooperates with Charles University. The Frantsevich Institute for Problems of Materials Science of the NAS of Ukraine cooperates with the Central European Institute of Technology and the Brno University of Technology. The O. O. Chuyko Institute of Surface Chemistry of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine cooperates with the Institute of Environmental Technologies of the Technical University of Ostrava.
8. Ukrainians in Czechia:
According to official statistics of the Czech Statistical Office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Czech Republic, as of June 30, 2022, around 579 791 Ukrainians live and work in the Czech Republic.
The statistical data on migration processes in recent years indicate that Ukrainians in the Czech Republic are the largest national minority, ahead of Slovaks, Poles and Germans.
The Ukrainian community in the Czech Republic is united in a wide chain of public organizations, which are situated in Prague, Brno, Hradec Kralove, Liberec, and Pardubice.
On the basis of the agreement with the International Ukrainian School, there is a Ukrainian Saturday School “Erudyt” http://erudyt.cz/ in Prague which issues diplomas of the state standard on general secondary education (Director – Nataliya Farkash).
In 2017, the Ukrainian cultural and educational centre “Krok” ttps://uaportal.cz/%20https:/www.uakrok.cz started working in Prague, where children are taught the Ukrainian language, literature, culture, ethnology, and geography of Ukraine (head of organization – Taras Kostiuk).
In 2018, Saturday Ukrainian schools began to operate in the cities of Brno (Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Center of Brno https://www.ukrcentrum.cz/ , director – Mykola Buryak) and Hradec Králové (Ukrainian Saturday school “Nytochka Rodovodu”, director – Natalia Dotsenko).
Church is also an important unifying factor for Ukrainians in the Czech Republic. There are Greek Catholic churches in the cities of Prague, Brno, Liberec and Mlada Boleslav, Pardubice, in which worship services are held also in Ukrainian language.
The two oldest Ukrainian organizations in the Czech Republic – The Ukrainian Initiative in the Czech Republic and the Union of Ukrainians and Supporters of Ukraine – represent the Ukrainian national minority in the Government Council for National Minorities of the Czech Republic and in the Committee for Cooperation with Self-Governing Bodies.
9. Diplomatic missions
The Embassy of Ukraine in the Czech Republic, the Consulate of Ukraine in Brno.