Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a phone conversation with the leader of the Czech party ANO, Andrej Babiš, who received the most votes in the recent parliamentary elections in the Czech Republic. This was reported by both parties on October 9.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Support for Ukraine and Further Cooperation
Zelensky emphasized the importance of the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the Czech Republic, thanking him for the consistent support of our state. The President congratulated Babiš on his election victory, wishing him success in his future political endeavors.
“Mr. Andrej noted the bravery of the Ukrainian people in our struggle against Russian aggression. He informed about our diplomatic efforts to achieve a just peace together with the USA, Europe, and other countries, as well as the overall situation in diplomacy,” he reported.
According to Zelensky, the parties also agreed to hold a personal meeting soon, where they plan to discuss the prospects for bilateral cooperation.
Babiš’s Reaction to Election Results and Relations with Ukraine
Andrej Babiš confirmed the conversation with Zelensky and recalled that he last met with the Ukrainian president in Kyiv in the fall of 2019. The ANO leader expressed support for Ukraine and stressed the importance of ending the war as soon as possible. He also mentioned that, if circumstances allow, he plans to visit Ukraine next year for a personal meeting and to discuss further steps.
The parliamentary elections in the Czech Republic took place on October 3-4. According to official results, six political forces entered the new parliament. The ANO party, led by Czech businessman and former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, received the most seats, winning 84 out of 200 seats, which accounts for over 34% of the votes, but does not secure a parliamentary majority. In second place is the SPOLU coalition led by current Prime Minister Petr Fiala with over 23% of the votes.
The ANO party is known for its criticism of European Union policies and calls for a more cautious approach from Prague regarding Russia’s war against Ukraine. During the election campaign, opponents accused Babiš of pro-Russian and anti-European views, which he himself denies.