The Czech Republic motivates democratic countries to help Ukraine. At the same time, she works tirelessly on this

Exclusive. The small and brave Czech Republic calls on the democratic world not to be afraid of Putin and to help Ukraine defeat the occupier as soon as possible. Bow to you, friendly country!

Petr Pavel at GLOBSEC

Peter Pavel opened the conference Globsec and called for further support to Ukraine

The 19th international security conference Globsec was held in Prague. The opening speech was delivered by the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel. He called for further support for Ukraine, stressing that there are still opportunities to improve the effectiveness of aid to the country under attack by Russia, strengthen anti-Russian sanctions and weaken the ability of Russian industry to support the war. European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen also spoke, saying that Europe must have the means to defend itself and deter all adversaries. About ten prime ministers and presidents, twenty ministers of defense and foreign affairs not only from Europe, but also from the Middle East and Southeast Asia are participating in the three-day event.

Pyotr Pavel was the first to address the participants of the conference. A conflict with an uncertain outcome continues in Ukraine. But time can work for Ukraine and its partners if they unite and reflect on the lessons of the previous two and a half years, says the Czech president. Currently, Russia is still convinced that it has no reason to change its approach. According to Pavel, in order to achieve peace, it is necessary to provide sufficient and predictable support to Ukraine.

Petr Pavel is convinced that it is necessary to strengthen the material potential in order to be able to provide Ukraine with all the necessary resources. According to him, there are still opportunities to improve efficiency. "We live in an increasingly contradictory world. However, I still firmly believe that an international order based on rules and cooperation is beneficial not only to the West, but also to all members of the international community," the president said. Post-World War II rules and institutions may sometimes require reform, but fragmentation weakens everything, he noted.

"Open conflict is a disastrous path for everyone. This also applies to Russia, which is certainly weaker and more vulnerable today than by 2022," Pavel said. The president also mentioned the role of China, which, according to him, has the greatest ability to help put an end to Russian aggression against Ukraine.

In his opinion, Europe is worried about low self-sufficiency in raw materials, Europe is facing structural economic problems, which restrains its economic development. While Europe remains a leader in many areas, it lags behind the US, some Asian countries and India in a number of technology sectors.

"It is time to realize that our technological competence and development largely determine our geopolitical significance and the security of our citizens," Pavel said.

He praised the creation of the new GeoTech Center, which the president said would bring together political and technology leaders to discuss shared responsibility for protecting democracy and prosperity.

"There is no doubt that we need greater cooperation, not only between governments and businesses, but also between the European Union and the United States. But I would clarify: between Europe, the USA and the democratic countries of the world," he added.

Let's cancel the restrictions on the use of weapons for Ukraine, - the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic

Russia's imperial ambitions have no limits until we define them, noted the Minister of Foreign Affairs Yan Lipavsky  in a speech at the opening of the second day of the Globsec security conference in Prague. In his opinion, Moscow's victory will result in instability in Europe. The Czech Republic does not impose any restrictions on the use of military equipment by Ukraine, but Lipavsky understands that some allies have to solve certain dilemmas. At the conference, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Finnish President Alexander Stubb also advocated lifting the restrictions, which primarily concern long-range missiles and F-16 aircraft.

"Ukraine has been courageously resisting Russian aggression for two and a half years. She also fights for us. We must politically and militarily support her struggle for freedom and independence. The ammunition initiative that we launched and the response to it from other countries proves to me that this is our common goal," said the foreign minister.

In the West, there is currently no consensus on whether to allow Kiev to use Western long-range missiles for attacks deep into Russian territory. Although London and Paris are more positive about this issue, Berlin and Washington fear an even greater escalation of the conflict.

The Czech Republic does not introduce any restrictions on the use of military equipment supplied to Ukraine, Lipavsky told reporters during Globsec.

"On the other hand, let's be honest about the fact that the most advanced weapons systems that have a long range or put suppliers in front of certain strategic dilemmas do not come from the Czech Republic either."

According to Lipavsky, the main goal of the Russian ruler Vladimir Putin is to dismantle Europe and change the European security architecture. "It is naive to think that if Russia wins in Ukraine, its tanks will stop at its western borders," the head of the Czech Foreign Ministry is convinced. According to him, Russia's victory will fundamentally disrupt the security and stability of Europe.

Defiance of Russian imperialism is also the key to maintaining peace based on the UN Charter and international law.

"It is very important that we continue to live in an environment where the force of international law prevails, not the law of the stronger. Our security and prosperity depend on it," he said.

According to the diplomat, recent elections in Europe and other countries show that societies are becoming increasingly polarized. "Central Europe is a region where political polarization is one of the strongest on the continent. Russia wants to divide us and supports populists from all sides, regardless of whether they are left or right."

In his opinion, one of the solutions is an emphasis on strategic communications. "We must reach people faster than the Kremlin's propaganda," he said.

According to Lipavsky, it is necessary to use existing laws that can help limit Russian influence, incitement of hatred, violence, spreading alarmist messages or justifying genocide.

"Let's apply sanctions mechanisms. Let's investigate Russia's interference in the elections. Let's demand more accountability and participation from digital platforms,” he said.

There is no miracle measure that could solve such a problem, he says. “But allowing a foreign power to abuse our freedom of speech and media is not a defense of democracy. This shows the shortcomings of our policy. To really protect values, one must have the courage to act."

Next year, the minimum wage in the Czech Republic will increase by 1900 crowns

In 2025, Czechs are promised an increase in the minimum wage by 1900 kroner — from 18 kroner to 900 kroner per month. This was stated by the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Marian Yurečka (KDUČSL) in the program of Czech Television. At the beginning of August, the ministry assessed the possibility of raising the minimum wage next year to 20800 kroner and referred this proposal to the interdepartmental discussion procedure.

Marian Yurechka

An increase in the minimum wage will mean an increase in the guaranteed wage in certain classes, except for the highest, for about 500 thousand more people in the wage sector. According to the words Yurechki, by 2029 the minimum wage may increase to 28-29 thousand crowns.

According to the minister, there has never been such a high jump on an annual basis." This step helps on a long-term basis, when citizens not only receive a guaranteed minimum wage in the entire economy, but also a guaranteed minimum wage in the field of labor. This is a step that few expected from our government," Yurechka said.

The head of the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions, Josef Strzedula, said during the debate that he welcomes this step, although he noted that the minimum wage in Poland is already 23000 crowns, but the Polish economy is in a worse position than the Czech one.

Regarding the minimum wage, according to him, the trade unions filed a complaint regarding the incorrect application of the European directive in the recently adopted Labor Code, which abolished the minimum wage rates for the private sector.

"We want this provision to be repealed," he added. According to Yurechka, in most European countries the state does not speak about remuneration in the private sector, and he is convinced that the Czech Republic will cope with this complaint.

The provision on the minimum wage is based on the amendment to the Labor Code, which was recently signed by President Petr Pavel. The amendment established a gradual increase in the minimum wage until 2029. The calculation of the minimum wage is based on the projected average wage for the next year, which the Ministry of Finance should announce by the end of August.

The government then sets a ratio that takes into account purchasing power, the cost of living, the level and pace of wage growth, and productivity developments. The minimum wage must be determined by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs by the end of September as the product of the expected average earnings and the coefficient. The calculated amount of the minimum wage is rounded to the nearest hundred crowns. If the re-announced minimum wage turns out to be lower than the initial one, the already established one will remain valid.

In Prague, the passport service for Ukrainians was marked by a scandal: police checks are ongoing

Passport service "Dokument" in Prague

Czech law enforcement agencies — the police and the prosecutor's office — are checking the activities of the Ukrainian Passport Service (SE Dokument) in Prague.

At the end of June, the leadership of the Passport Service suddenly changed. Former director Anastasia Kuzmytska announced on her Facebook that she resigned. She did not explain the reasons.

Now the Czech branch of the Ukrainian state enterprise "Dokument" is headed by Oksana Sergiyivna Serostan. Official Ukrainian sources did not name the reasons for personnel changes in the Prague passport center.

Former manager Kuzmytska left her position shortly after SeznamZprávy drew attention to possible financial fraud at the branch, which is now under the care of the Czech police under the supervision of the Prague District Prosecutor's Office.

Anastasia Kuzmytska

Oksana Sergiivna Serostan was assigned to represent the company "in all institutions, enterprises and organizations of the Czech Republic" by the Kyiv "Dokument" center. This personnel change is confirmed by the power of attorney issued at the end of July, a copy of which is available in the Czech version List of Messages.

"The issues mentioned in your e-mail belong to the competence of SE Dokument and the State Migration Service of Ukraine," says the reply of the consular department of the Embassy of Ukraine in Prague to the address of the publication.

In mid-April, the Ukrainian-born businessman with Czech citizenship, Volodymyr Selyskyi, who helped open the Prague branch of SE Dokument during another influx of refugees from Ukraine, filed a criminal offense complaint with the High State Prosecutor's Office in Prague.

It was about the fact that the small German company Ewig Lux Plus received 7 million kroner from the Passport Service for alleged construction work on the arrangement of premises on Michelská Street. Although this company did not provide such services. Volodymyr Selyskyi was the accountant of the Dokument SE branch and, having noticed a possible violation, turned to the law enforcement authorities.

Another interesting point is that when Ukrainian refugees paid for services at the Passport Service, part of the money somehow went to the bank account of former director Anastasia Kuzmytska. This can be seen from the receipts.

However, not only the Czech branch of SE Dokument got into a scandal. Radio Svoboda recently talked about the Berlin law firm Schmieder & Eckstein. The German branch of the Passport Service has been closely cooperating with it since 2022.

As it turned out, both co-founders of the company worked in Russia for a long time. One of them, Karl Eckstein, used to call the Russian Federation his "second homeland". He also has Russian citizenship, and about Vladimir Putin he said that he "returned the sense of pride to Russians."

There is a suspicion that confidential data about refugees could be sent directly to Russia through the mentioned office.

In a Czech city Pardubice laid a long table within Stůl na Míru

The length of the covered table is 230 meters. The event caused a stir among local residents. Many people came to gather together for an impromptu dinner. Everyone brought their own food or drinks.

The dinner was accompanied by performances by musicians. The square turned into a dance floor.

Such an event may become an annual event.

"More people came than last year. We will probably expand the event even more next year. I am delighted. I really like that the people of Pardubice are passionate about such a completely simple pastime. They come, sit down next to strangers and start getting to know each other, offering each other food," said Vice Mayor of Pardubice Jyrgyna Klcova.

Contributed by the deputy editor-in-chief of Newsky (Central Europe and Canada), V5 Media project manager Maryna Kovalchuk