Czech MPs approve extension of Ukrainian military training for next year

This was reported by Radio Prague International.

The outlet noted that 129 out of 150 MPs present voted in favor of continuing the training of Ukrainian military in the Czech Republic to fight Russia. At least 101 votes were required for approval.

At the same time, Radim Fiala, the leader of the opposition Freedom and Direct Democracy parliamentary movement, made an unsuccessful attempt to reject the government's proposal. Fiala views the ongoing training of the Ukrainian military as "support for the continuation of the conflict." Only 10 Freedom and Direct Democracy MPs supported his proposal.

Czech Defense Minister Jana Černochová told MPs that about 3,500 Ukrainian soldiers have already been trained in the Czech Republic, and another 500 have been trained by Czech instructors in Poland. According to the minister, the experience gained has also improved the training of Czech military units.

The outlet adds that the government's proposal will allow not only Ukrainian military personnel, but also servicemen from EU and NATO member states to stay in the Czech Republic. In addition to the EU's support mission for Ukraine, instructors from NATO member states will now have the opportunity to train Ukrainian troops in the Czech Republic. A prerequisite for the continuation of the training is that the number of foreign military personnel in the Czech Republic does not surpass 800, as it was this year.

• Earlier, the Czech Senate extended the terms of combat training for Ukrainian soldiers until the end of 2024.