Russia Election winner Babis: No crown for weapons for Ukraine
The likely future head of government of the Czech Republic, Andrej Babis, has reaffirmed his stance on the war in Ukraine. "We will not give Ukraine even one crown from our budget for weapons", the right-wing populist and billionaire announced in Prague. "We don't have any money for the Czech Republic," he explained. The EU and NATO member state still has its own currency, the koruna.
08.10.2025, 18:25
SDA
Babis pointed out that Kiev was already receiving billions in financial aid via the EU's so-called Ukraine Facility. He made it clear that Czech arms companies could continue to export to Ukraine. "We have no problem with that," said the 71-year-old. At the same time, he called for NATO to adopt the Czech grenade initiative. However, experts believe this would be difficult.
Since the initiative was launched, around 3.5 million rounds of large-caliber ammunition have already been provided to Ukraine. It is one of the flagship projects of Prime Minister Petr Fiala's center-right alliance, which was defeated in the parliamentary elections. The ammunition comes from undisclosed third countries. Germany is one of the donors.
Talks on future government continue
The election winner Babis is currently holding initial talks with two parties on the right-wing fringe about the formation of a future government, the Freedom and Direct Democracy - abbreviated to SPD in Czech - and the motorists' party Motorists for themselves. The leader of the SPD, Tomio Okamura, has already caused outrage by calling for the police chief to be replaced. The background to this is that the investigating authorities have applied for the politician's immunity to be lifted. He is accused of incitement of the people due to a poster campaign against the EU migration package.
President Petr Pavel has decided that the newly elected Chamber of Deputies will convene for its first session on November 3. Babis' ANO movement will now have 80 of the 200 seats and, with the help of the SPD and Motorists, would have a majority of 108 seats.
