The key topic on Saturday was the debate on the 19th package of sanctions against Russia and additional measures targeting its shadow fleet. “Unless Putin demonstrates a genuine commitment to peace, we must step up the sanctions pressure. It is Russia that must pay for the damage it has inflicted – not European taxpayers,” Minister Lipavský stressed.

A significant part of the talks was also devoted to the use of proceeds from frozen Russian assets for the reconstruction of Ukraine. Czechia has long supported this approach. Ministers also discussed the need for security guarantees for Ukraine in the context of the ongoing peace negotiations.

Minister Lipavský also addressed the situation in the Middle East, particularly in Gaza. He stressed that humanitarian aid must reach civilians directly and must not end up in Hamas warehouses. “This year, Czechia allocated 26 million czech crowns to help Palestinian civilians, including the financing of medical teams directly in the Gaza Strip. Another 15 million goes to projects in the West Bank,” the Czech Foreign Minister recalled.

The meeting also included discussions on cooperation with non-European partners – the United Kingdom, Norway, and Iceland. “Unity is not only important within the EU. The stronger our cooperation with partners, the stronger our security,” emphasized the Czech minister.

On the margins of the meeting, an informal encounter also took place with representatives of the Belarusian opposition, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and her husband Siarhei, who was recently released from prison. Czechia has long supported the Belarusian democratic forces, including through their office in Prague.