The Czech Republic plans to create a Ukrainian Legion with the involvement of refugees
Recent events in Europe are becoming increasingly interesting and at the same time complex. Among the numerous initiatives aimed at supporting Ukraine in the fight against the Russian Federation, one rather ambitious project under consideration in the Czech Republic stands out. The Minister of Defense of the Czech Republic Jana Chernokhova proposed to create a Ukrainian Legion, which could be voluntarily joined by Ukrainian refugees who found refuge in this country.
The Ukrainian community in the Czech Republic has grown significantly in recent years due to the war in Ukraine. Many refugees who came to the Czech Republic maintain close ties with their homeland and actively help the Ukrainian army and volunteers. According to Chernokhova, the creation of the Ukrainian Legion will consolidate these efforts and give them a more organized character.
The Czech Republic became one of those countries that opened its doors to Ukrainians in difficult times. According to official data, about 300,000 Ukrainians found refuge in the Czech Republic. Many of them actively integrate into Czech society, learn the language, find work, and at the same time do not forget about their native country. Such a number of people who have experience of military service or a desire to help creates the basis for the formation of a volunteer legion.
The Minister of Defense of the Czech Republic Jana Chernokhova emphasized that participation in the legion will be exclusively voluntary, without any coercion or pressure. Ukrainians in the Czech Republic, who are in the country because of the war, could join the legion to support their homeland. A significant Ukrainian community in the Czech Republic makes this idea logical and expedient. In addition, those Ukrainians who have already received Czech citizenship can join the legion.
The spokesman of the Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic, Karel Čapek, said that his department is currently studying the Polish project of creating the Ukrainian Legion from the practical and legal side.
“The Ministry of Defense is collecting more information from the Polish side about the creation of the so-called Ukrainian Legion. When we collect this information, we will consider the possibility of our involvement.” — noted Capek.
At the same time, Czech publications note that these discussions do not mean that the Czech Republic has already started the process of creating a Ukrainian unit. Perhaps Czech instructors can join the training of the Ukrainian Legion in Poland.
The creation of such a legion can have both positive and negative consequences. On the one hand, this will allow more effective use of the potential of Ukrainian refugees, strengthen ties between the two countries, and provide moral support to Ukraine. On the other hand, it can cause certain social and political tensions both in the Czech Republic itself and at the international level.
