The National Security Council addressed the current security situation after the invasion of independent Ukraine by the troops of the Russian Federa

Following the overnight invasion of Ukraine by the troops of the Russian Federation, Prime Minister Petr Fiala convened an extraordinary meeting of the National Security Council for Thursday, 24 February 2022. The National Security Council reviewed the state's readiness for the consequences of the Russian aggression against Ukraine and for possible further scenarios of the security crisis in Eastern Europe and decided on concrete steps to express disagreement with the hostile actions of the Russian Federation and to help the invaded Ukraine.

At the extraordinary meeting, the National Security Council responded to the further deterioration of the security situation in Eastern Europe after the troops of the Russian Federation unjustifiably and unprecedentedly invaded the territory of sovereign and independent Ukraine.

“After today's meeting of the National Security Council, I would like to reassure all citizens of the Czech Republic that at the moment there is no information or indication that our country or its citizens are in any immediate danger. We are proceeding with clear steps, both to ensure the security of the Czech Republic and its citizens and political steps that will express our support for Ukraine and also our opposition to Russia's actions and its aggressive policies,” Prime Minister Petr Fiala said after the meeting.

In response to the escalated Russian aggression, the Czech Republic decided to withdraw its consent to the establishment of the Consulates General of the Russian Federation in Brno and Karlovy Vary, which means that these consulates must immediately cease operations and their employees are expelled from the Czech Republic. At the same time, in protest against Russia's and Belarus's actions, the Minister of Foreign Affairs decided to summon the Czech ambassadors to Russia and Belarus for homeland consultations. The Czech Republic is also suspending the activities of the Czech Consulates General in St. Petersburg and Ekaterinburg. “We will also suspend the collection of visa applications of Russian citizens at all embassies, except in humanitarian cases,” the Prime Minister added.

The National Security Council also discussed further humanitarian aid for the affected Ukraine. “At today's National Security Council, we decided to release 50 million crowns immediately and then another 250 million crowns, a total of 300 million crowns, for humanitarian aid to Ukraine. The Ministry of the Interior is also launching an information service for Ukrainian citizens in the Czech Republic, “ Prime Minister Fiala said. At the same time, the Czech Republic has prepared a four-stage plan to cope with a possible refugee wave of Ukrainian citizens.

The National Security Council also addressed the issue of supplying the Czech Republic with strategic fuel materials – oil and natural gas. “In this context, I would like to assure the citizens that the Czech Republic is ready for possible supply failures of these raw materials. We have reservoirs here, we have sufficient reserves and we are able to deal with any reduction or failure of supply. We also know that the European Union is taking concrete steps. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, assured me and said it publicly afterwards that agreements were in place with third country suppliers who, in the event of a reduction or failure of supply from Russia, the gas in particular, would be able to replace them and cover the failures,” Prime Minister Petr Fiala said.

The National Security Council stated that the Czech Republic would continue to coordinate its actions closely with its partners in the North Atlantic Alliance and the European Union and is determined to press for the toughest economic and diplomatic sanctions against the Russian Federation at the international level.