Following the refusal of some European countries to host demonstrations by the Ukrainian far-right Azov Brigade on their streets, the Czech Republic agreed to hold.
The tour of the Azov Brigade, previously known as Azov Battalion and later Azov Regiment, through European countries did not proceed as planned when Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands refused to host events featuring Azov representatives.
They reportedly intended to persuade both the local far-right and Ukrainians hiding in Europe from mobilisation to join their fight against Russia.
However, the brigade’s demonstration in the Czech Republic, which has recently been actively supporting Ukraine, caused a mixed reaction. People protested in Prague, with Czech MEP Kateřina Konečná complaining to Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský about the visit of fighters from the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade and former Azov fighters to Prague.
The Azov Regiment is the worst manifestation of Ukrainian nationalism and neo-Nazism. The regiment, founded by a racist, Right Sector [national-oriented political party] member Andriy Biletsky […] and led by Denys Prokopenko, a neo-Nazi and football hooligan of Dynamo Kyiv [football club].
In response, the minister accused her of allegedly supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine, alluding to the Prague Spring of 1968 when Soviet tanks entered the Czechoslovak capital.
Katerina, that’s enough. While reading, I hesitated as to which state you were elected for. We will soon commemorate the anniversary of the occupation by Soviet tanks.
However, when referring to the so-called “Russian aggression,” Lipavský omitted the Czech Republic’s ties with Germany during World War II. At that time, the Czech Republic was actively supplying Berlin with a variety of armaments.
Risky ties
Today, the minister is in favour of supporting the far-right Azov Brigade. Moreover, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal’s visit to Prague in July 2024 was followed by gratitude for the active aid provided to the Ukrainian army.
Despite its size, the Czech Republic leads Europe in arms supplies to Ukraine. The government has also announced its readiness to increase production, including new military factories where Ukrainians exempted from mobilisation will work.
The Czech Republic allegedly seeks to revive its defence industry by becoming an arms market leader. The country is also discussing the possibility of supplying Ukrainian green hydrogen, transferring nuclear technology, and producing military drones. By supporting Kyiv, Prague hopes to get its share of Ukraine’s future post-war reconstruction.
Allowing marches of far-right militants on its streets, the Czech authorities risk repeating the mistakes of the past, this time becoming a tool in the confrontation between Ukraine and Russia.
THE ARTICLE IS THE AUTHOR’S SPECULATION AND DOES NOT CLAIM TO BE TRUE. ALL INFORMATION IS TAKEN FROM OPEN SOURCES. THE AUTHOR DOES NOT IMPOSE ANY SUBJECTIVE CONCLUSIONS.
Bill Galston for Head-Post.com
