Czech Republic Extends Training for Ukrainian Military Until End of 2024

The Czech Senate has decided to extend the mandate for conducting combat training for Ukrainian military personnel on its territory until the end of 2024, as reported by Radio Prague International. Additionally, the parliament has approved the government's proposal to extend the duration of most foreign missions of the Czech Armed Forces for the upcoming year.

Defense Minister Jana Chernohova stated that her priority is to provide conditions for the continued training of soldiers from Ukraine, who are resisting Russian aggression. According to her, such support from the Czech side contributes to the conclusion of the war in Ukraine and the long-awaited establishment of peace.

Earlier, it was reported that the Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces, Karel Rzheka, visited Kyiv on November 2 and met with the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Valeriy Zaluzhny. They discussed the current security situation and exchanged military experiences.

In addition to the extension of training for Ukrainian soldiers, the Senate also extended the mandate for the presence of military personnel from European Union and NATO countries in the Czech Republic. According to the rules, the number of foreign military personnel on Czech territory will not exceed 800 individuals, as it was in 2023. They will have the opportunity to undergo training under the guidance of instructors from NATO member countries.

It is worth noting that the Czech government has also intensified efforts to combat companies that violate EU sanctions against Russia by exporting and importing goods through third countries. The Czech customs administration has identified around 40 cases of sanctions violations, often through Turkey or post-Soviet republics. One ongoing investigation involves the illegal export of cars to Russia. The police are also investigating the case of the Czech company Labara, which shipped machine tools through Turkey to its subsidiary in Russia, potentially for use in weapons production. The fight against Russian sanctions evasion through Czech companies has been ongoing for some time, with various cases coming under scrutiny.