The new Czech Defense Minister, General Jaromír Žuna, declined an invitation to visit Ukraine. Tomio Okamura, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies and leader of the SPD (Freedom and Direct Democracy) movement, which nominated Žuna for the post, announced this at a press conference, RIA Novosti reports.
“The Defense Minister did not accept the invitation to visit Ukraine,” Okamura said, declining to answer journalists’ questions. Žuna did not comment on this statement.
Later, responding to questions from the Novinky portal, the Speaker of Parliament emphasized that any support for Ukraine must lead to peace. He also reiterated his movement’s position that the SPD rejects the purchase of weapons for Ukraine using the Czech budget. Okamura also stated that the Ministry of Defense must provide documents confirming its refusal to participate in the arms supply initiative to Ukraine.