Biden affirms Russian persistence in Ukraine during talks with Czech PM

During a meeting between US President Joe Biden and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala on Tuesday, Biden delivered a message, asserting, “you in the Czech Republic know that Russia will not stop in Ukraine.” 

Emphasizing the critical role of both Europe and the United States in ensuring peace for Ukraine, Biden underscored the Czech Republic’s significance as an ally in countering Russian advances. He lauded the Czech Republic’s commitment to supporting Ukraine and expressed appreciation for its contributions to the cause.

Fiala shared a personal reflection from his childhood, recalling the haunting sight of Russian tanks on the streets of Brno in 1968 and disclosed plans to procure up to 800,000 shells from various global sources, including both Soviet-era and Western-made munitions. While the specifics of the procurement remain undisclosed, reports suggest engagement with suppliers from countries traditionally aligned with Russia.

The procurement process has already made headway, with an initial payment secured for 300,000 shells. Notably, The Wall Street Journal reported substantial financial contributions from Germany towards this endeavor.

However, amid these proactive measures, neighboring EU and NATO members, Slovakia and Hungary, have opted against providing military assistance to Ukraine. This stance, reiterated during a press conference following a Visegrad Group meeting in Prague on March 21, underscored their commitment to prioritizing humanitarian aid over military intervention in resolving the conflict.