Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recalled on Wednesday June 15 the invasion of Czechoslovakia by the Soviet Union in 1968, while urging Europe to help his country more against Russia.
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“
We are with you, be with us
,” Volodymyr Zelensky told Czech lawmakers in Prague on a teleconference, citing an appeal made by a Czechoslovak radio presenter in 1968 as the Soviet occupiers tried to shut down the radio.
"
Today, as the people of Ukraine struggle for their freedom against the cruel invasion of Russia, we use these words to address all nations of Europe and the democratic world
," he added.
“
Ukraine must obtain everything necessary to achieve victory
”.
The invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968 by five Warsaw Pact armies led by the Soviet Union crushed the "
Prague Spring
", an attempt to democratize political life in the country, then one of Moscow's satellites.
After the fall of communism in 1989, Czechoslovakia peacefully split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993.
“A tyrant who wants everything”
Volodymyr Zelensky said he believed the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24, was just the first step in a plan by Moscow to retake its old satellites.
"
A tyrant who (...) wants everything, will never stop
", declared the Ukrainian president.
“
The Czech people know very well what happens when you compromise with tyrants
,” he added, also recalling the occupation of Czechoslovakia by the Nazis in 1938.
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Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Prague for hosting more than 300,000 Ukrainian refugees and sending weapons to Ukraine worth more than 3.5 billion crowns (140 million euros).
He urged the Czech Republic to help speed up the next round of sanctions against Russia, as the country takes over the rotating EU presidency for six months in July.
Prague said it would prioritize Ukraine during its presidency, pledging to promote the country's bid for EU membership and help it rebuild after the war.
"
Be active so that all European leaders agree that defending and strengthening Europe is our common objective
",
said Volodymyr Zelensky.
"
Russian soldiers know that they come up against European values
”.
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