“Ukraine has demonstrated a strong willingness to end the war and has made significant concessions. Thanks to the active role of the United States, there is now room for real progress towards peace. Now it is time for Russian concessions,” Minister Macinka said at a joint press conference. He concluded by stressing that the West must be able to provide Ukraine with sufficient security guarantees as a credible alternative to NATO membership.

As part of his programme, the Minister also visited facilities related to drone defence systems and praised the dynamics of Ukrainian innovation. He noted that counter-drone defence is a key security priority for the Czech Government and said he would work to ensure that Ukraine’s expertise in this area can be transferred to Czechia as well.

Together with Minister Sybiha, he also visited a site hit by a night-time drone attack in a residential area of Kyiv. Alongside Deputy Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies Filip Turek, Minister Macinka also held talks with Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka, including on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union.