Czech President Supports Peacekeeping Mission Participation in Ukraine

Czech President Petr Pavel has expressed strong support for the Czech Republic's participation in a potential international peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, emphasizing the country's active role in the peace process since Russia's full-scale invasion. He noted that the specific nature and scope of Czech involvement would depend on the terms of any peace agreement, including the possible establishment of a demilitarized zone along the contact line, supervised by international forces. Pavel acknowledged that while territorial concessions by Ukraine may violate international law, they could be a pragmatic step to avoid prolonged conflict and further casualties. Czech Defense Minister Jana Černochová clarified that no concrete decisions have been made yet regarding troop deployment, highlighting that if Czech forces do participate, their role would likely resemble peacekeeping efforts seen in the former Yugoslavia, avoiding frontline positions. The president also mentioned ongoing diplomatic efforts involving US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, underscoring a coordinated process aimed at achieving a ceasefire and security guarantees for Ukraine. Training Ukrainian soldiers and demining are among the possible military support roles considered for Czech forces, pending government and parliamentary approval.