Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is set to visit Prague on Sunday, where he will hold discussions with Czech President Petr Pavel, according to an announcement from the Czech presidential office. This visit highlights the deepening partnership between Ukraine and the Czech Republic, a relationship that has gained strength since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Czech Republic has emerged as one of Ukraine’s strongest European allies, providing both military support and diplomatic backing as Kyiv continues to resist Russian aggression.
One of the most significant contributions from the Czech government has been its leadership in a major international initiative to provide Ukraine with large-caliber ammunition. This effort has so far delivered over one million shells to Ukraine’s armed forces — a lifeline for Kyiv’s military operations. By leveraging its diplomatic ties, business networks, and industrial know-how, the Czech Republic has been able to source ammunition globally and coordinate delivery with the financial support of NATO partners. This has played a crucial role in helping Ukraine sustain its defense along the frontlines.
This trip will mark Zelenskiy’s second visit to Prague in less than a year, following his previous stop there in July 2023. The frequency of these high-level meetings underlines the urgency of Ukraine’s diplomatic offensive and the Czech Republic’s strategic importance in Europe’s collective response to the war. For Zelenskiy, every meeting with key European leaders offers a chance to strengthen alliances, secure additional military aid, and rally support for Ukraine’s longer-term political goals, including international pressure on Russia to end the war.
On Saturday, Zelenskiy shared on social media that he is preparing for a series of foreign policy discussions in the coming days. His diplomatic push aims to build a broader coalition to pressure Moscow into agreeing to a ceasefire. As the war has dragged on, Zelenskiy has consistently emphasized that military resistance alone is not enough — Ukraine needs global diplomatic and economic leverage to break the stalemate and push Russia toward negotiations.
Notably, Zelenskiy also revealed that he spoke with former U.S. President Donald Trump during the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican. During their conversation, the two reportedly discussed critical security issues, including air defense systems for Ukraine and tightening sanctions against Moscow. Zelenskiy noted that they both agreed on the importance of achieving a 30-day ceasefire as an initial step toward a broader peace agreement — a potential turning point in efforts to end the war.
Looking ahead to the Prague meeting, it’s expected that Zelenskiy and President Pavel will focus not just on weapons and ammunition but also on coordinated diplomatic strategies to de-escalate the conflict. For Ukraine, the support of European allies like the Czech Republic is essential, both on the battlefield and at the negotiating table. As Ukraine faces continued missile strikes, humanitarian challenges, and economic strain, Zelenskiy’s dual approach — combining military resilience with aggressive diplomacy — remains critical to shaping the outcome of the war.