Czech President Supports Ukraine at Prague Protest

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Translation

The President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, spoke about supporting Ukraine against Russia at a meeting in Prague. The event, which featured Ukrainian and European flags, highlighted the need for solidarity and peace. There were also stories from people affected by the war. The Czech Republic supports Ukraine and its future in Europe.

Exercise: Text comprehension

Question 1: What did the Czech President talk about at the meeting in Prague?

He talked about supporting Ukraine against Russia.

Question 2: What was emphasized during the event in Prague?

The need for solidarity and peace was emphasized.

Exercise: Vocabulary

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▌24/02/2025

In a significant gathering at Prague's Old Town Square, Czech President Petr Pavel highlighted the enduring struggles and aspirations of the Ukrainian people on the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The event, organized by various non-governmental organizations, underscored the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the vital need for international solidarity.

Speaking to a crowd that included Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Zvarych, President Pavel firmly stated the clear moral delineation between aggressor and victim in the conflict. Without explicitly naming, he subtly critiqued former U.S. President Donald Trump's recent statements which appeared to question the established narrative of the conflict's origins. Pavel noted the critical connection between the security of Ukraine and that of Europe, insisting that backing Ukraine in its resistance was essential for peace and stability across the region.

The event also featured personal accounts from war participants, including a poignant presentation by Czech actress Jitka Čvančarová. She narrated the harrowing experiences of Ukrainian children affected by the siege of Mariupol, reinforcing the narrative of widespread civilian suffering. Similar sentiments were echoed by other speakers, including singer Milan Peroutka and actor Ivan Trojan, who shared emotional stories and underscored the importance of sustained support.

Czech President Supports Ukraine at Prague Protest (Illustration)

President Pavel emphasized that the situation extends beyond military support, urging democratic nations to maintain ethical stances and not yield to pragmatic but value-compromising solutions. He advocated for more assertive European involvement in negotiations to ensure that Ukraine and Europe were adequately represented in peace talks.

The protest was characterized by a display of solidarity, with attendees brandishing Ukrainian and European Union flags, as well as banners calling for increased defense expenditure and the condemnation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The event concluded with a march to the monument of Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko, underlining the cultural ties and shared values between the Czech Republic and Ukraine.

This demonstration, supported by organizations such as People In Need and the European Congress of Ukrainians, was a call to action, reminding the Czech society and the world of the ongoing conflict and its ramifications. With nearly 400,000 Ukrainian refugees currently in the Czech Republic, the solidarity event was a reaffirmation of Czech commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and future in the European and NATO frameworks.

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