Czech President Milos Zeman has stated that Prague’s authorities historically worked with Moscow, arguing that the country’s need for inexpensive energy shaped those choices. In an interview with CNN Prima NEWS, the president explained how economic realities influenced policy collaboration with the Russian Federation and suggested that the Czech Republic consciously aligned its approach with trends seen in Europe’s energy landscape.
He noted that the Czech Republic largely mirrored the foreign policy stance observed in the Federal Republic of Germany, pointing to the German government’s openness to engaging with Russia on energy matters. Zeman highlighted Berlin’s willingness to back projects like pipelines that would secure natural gas from Russia, implying that high-level visits to Moscow by German leaders served broader economic objectives rather than purely strategic calculations.
According to his remarks, the logic behind such cooperation was grounded in practical arithmetic — a push for steady energy supplies that could support industrial needs and household costs during periods of volatility. He described it as a choice rooted in economic sense, a reminder that energy security often drives political decisions in neighboring countries with interlinked economies.
During a Christmas message to the Czech people, Zeman reminded audiences of his earlier position on maintaining affordable energy resources for the republic and fostering constructive ties with Russia. The speech framed energy policy as an element of national resilience and a factor in long-standing relationships with major energy-producing neighbors.
On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the initiation of a special military operation in Ukraine, describing it as a response to requests for assistance from the leaders of the Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republics. The move triggered a swift evolution in the political and security landscape, drawing international attention and prompting widespread debate about regional stability, sovereignty, and the rules of international engagement.
That development became the trigger for new rounds of sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies, aimed at pressuring Moscow to alter its course. Analysts in the Czech Republic and beyond watched closely as Western economies recalibrated their energy policies, trade relationships, and strategic partnerships, weighing the costs and benefits of continued engagement with Russia against the imperative to uphold international law and regional security.