Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Czech President Petr Pavel in Prague on May 4, 2025, in a key diplomatic effort to rally European support for Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia. The visit comes at a time when Ukraine is intensifying its calls for a meaningful ceasefire and long-term international pressure on Moscow.
During a joint press conference, President Zelenskyy stated that a full ceasefire could be implemented “at any moment” if the international community exerts consistent pressure on Russia. He rejected a recent symbolic three-day ceasefire offer by Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling instead for a minimum 30-day unconditional truce. Zelenskyy criticized Moscow for ignoring a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal that has remained unanswered for more than 50 days, underscoring the need for further diplomatic and economic actions, including tougher sanctions.
A major focus of the talks was the Czech Republic’s military support for Ukraine. President Pavel highlighted the success of a Czech-led initiative to deliver large-caliber ammunition to Ukrainian forces. Under this program, the Czech Republic supplied 1.6 million artillery rounds in the past year and aims to deliver up to 1.8 million more in 2025. Zelenskyy praised the program as an essential contribution to Ukraine’s defense and expressed gratitude for Czech leadership in organizing international arms support.
The two leaders also discussed expanding military cooperation in other areas such as air defense and pilot training. Zelenskyy later met with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala to explore further partnerships, including joint efforts on aviation and maintenance of advanced weapons systems.
Beyond Prague, President Zelenskyy has been engaging global leaders to build momentum for a ceasefire and long-term peace strategy. He recently held informal discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump during Pope Francis' funeral in April, where they both reportedly supported the idea of a 30-day ceasefire. In a related development, Ukraine and the United States signed a critical minerals agreement that grants the U.S. preferential access to Ukrainian resources. American officials view the deal as enhancing President Trump’s leverage in potential future negotiations with Russia.
Zelenskyy’s trip to the Czech Republic highlights a broader diplomatic push to maintain military aid flows and unify international efforts toward ending the war. The meetings in Prague reaffirm the Czech Republic’s key role as a defense partner and signal continued European backing for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.