Jan Lipavský pointed out the escalating threats and cyber attacks by Russia at the diplomat consultation. Announced the planned measures to support safety.
Russia is the greatest and immediate threat to the Czech Republic for a long time, which wants to replace the current rules of the right, to rebuild the security architecture of Europe and to draw new spheres of influence. On Monday, the Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavský said this at the annual meeting of Czech diplomats in the Černín Palace. Russia, in his words, can be forced to take down weapons and start negotiating with Ukraine only by economic pressure and maximum support for Kiev, says TASR newsletter in Prague.
The Minister recalled that in recent years cyber attacks on Czech critical infrastructure have been intensified, and there have been cases of arson attacks and sabotages throughout Europe. “We are facing an increase in information impact operations in order to polarize our companies and to undermine the unity and eventuality of the EU and NATO,” he said.
Rejection of Russian diplomats
He reiterated that the Czech Republic continues to enforce the restriction of the movement of Russian diplomats and their family members in the territory of the states of their accreditation. “We want to eliminate the operation of Russian secret services under diplomatic coverage. The increase in sabotage operations that we have been monitoring in recent years and months in Europe is clear proof that our proposal is in the interest of everyone’s security,” Lipavský stressed. He added that thanks to the activities of Czech diplomacy, a special tribunal for the crimes of aggression against Ukraine is being created on the ground plan of the Council of Europe.
According to the head of Czech diplomacy, the questions concerning territories in Ukraine must be addressed by Ukraine and Russia and Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to him, should stop military attacks before the meeting table. The role of Europe is to work on further sanctions in parallel in the event that the Kremlin refuses to agree, the Minister thinks.
Support of Ukraine
He stressed that the Czech Republic is a supporter of the peace principle through strength. “Not further concessions, but the economic pressure and maximum support for Ukraine in its struggle are the right way to force Russia to take up their weapons and sit down for the negotiating table,” he said, reminding that the Czech Republic supports Ukraine humanitarian, politically and military. He added that another 15 countries are involved in the Czech ammunition initiative.
