Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala has accused opposition leader and front-runner for the upcoming parliamentary elections, Andrej Babis, of helping Russian President Vladimir Putin with his positions, Politico reports, BTA reports.
The current government coalition, led by Fiala and consisting of four parties, is one of Ukraine's closest allies in its fight against the Russian invasion. However, Fiala warned that this support is under threat if Babis and his ANO party win elections this fall.
„Babiš is against the ammunition initiative, against increasing defense spending and insists on peace without any conditions. This helps Vladimir Putin – "and it is absolutely clear," Fiala, leader of the conservative Civic Democratic Party (ODS), told the Financial Times.
He stressed that the Czech ammunition initiative, which collects donations from allied countries to buy ammunition for Ukraine, could be stopped if the government changes.
According to surveys by the STEM research institute, Babis' party is leading with 33% support, while Fiala's SPOLU coalition is trailing by 17%.
Andrzej Babis, leader of the populist ANO party, is following the rhetoric of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, insisting that diplomatic talks, not arms deliveries, are the way to end the war.
Babiš and members of his party have openly criticized the ammunition initiative and expressed hope that the possible return of Donald Trump as US president will lead to an end to the the conflict in Ukraine.