Andrej Babis has reiterated his campaign promise that Prague will stop financing military supplies to Kiev
The Czech Republic will not use state funds to provide arms to Ukraine, Andrej Babis has reiterated as he began talks to form a new government after his right-wing ANO party won the country’s parliamentary election this past weekend.
Babis, who previously served as prime minister from 2017 to 2021, is widely expected to return to office following his party’s victory. With coalition talks underway, he has reaffirmed his opposition to financing weapons for Ukraine from the national budget.
“We will not give Ukraine a single crown from our budget for weapons,” Babis said in Prague on Wednesday. “We have no money for the Czech Republic.”
While rejecting state-funded military aid, Babis clarified that Czech arms companies would be allowed to continue exporting to Ukraine. “We have no problem with that,” the 71-year-old added.
The Czech Republic has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine under outgoing Prime Minister Petr Fiala, whose center-right coalition initiated an international munitions scheme. Around 3.5 million rounds of large-caliber ammunition have already been supplied to Ukraine through the program, which sources supplies from unnamed third countries. Germany is among the nations contributing financially.
Babis has called on NATO to take over the Czech ammunition initiative, signaling a potential shift in how Prague supports Ukraine’s war efforts.
Meanwhile, Babis has begun preliminary coalition talks with two right-wing parties: Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) and the Motorists’ Party. ANO currently holds 80 of the 200 seats in the lower house of parliament. With support from the two smaller parties, a prospective coalition would command a majority of 108.
President Petr Pavel has announced that the newly elected parliament will convene for its first session on November 3.
