Respect for the fallen should not fall prey to the spreaders of Russian propaganda. It has nothing to do with pieta and is rather a dishonor to the memory of those who gave their lives during the Second World War. President Petr Pavel said this on Monday at the memorial service for the 78th anniversary of the end of the war.
“The generation of Soviet soldiers of that time is not responsible for what Russia is today. Respect for the fallen should not become a victim of today’s enthusiastic spreaders of Russian propaganda, such as the Night Wolves, or their Czech supporters. Their activities have nothing to do with piety and are rather a dishonor memorials of those who gave their lives,” said Pavel.
According to him, the reminder of the Second World War has a painful paradox in it. “The country whose name was borne by the main forces that participated in the liberation of Czechoslovakia, i.e. the First, Second and Fourth Ukrainian Corps, is today itself the object of aggression by one of the then victorious powers, Russia,” the head of state noted.
The President pointed out that the scope and level of destruction of the conflict in Ukraine resembles the battlefields of the Second World War. He added that even then the conflict started by pointing out the non-respect of the rights of the national minority and calling for the secession of the territory, there was pressure to cede part of the country in exchange for not starting the war.
He recalled the former Munich agreement, when Czechoslovakia had to give up part of the territory. “The worst thing is not to learn. I am very proud that the Czech Republic has been supporting Ukraine very intensively since the first days of the war,” said Pavel.
The commemorative event in Vítkov began with a military parade. The commander of the honor unit reported to the president. The anthem was played. To the sounds of the chant Who are God’s warriors, the soldiers then brought the historical army banners. The head of state was the first to lay a wreath at the grave of the unknown soldier, after her the president and the president of both parliamentary chambers and the prime minister came to pay their respects.
The Minister of Defense, the Chief of the General Staff, the Mayor of Prague and a Cardinal were also present. Veterans, representatives of veteran associations and falconers also came. Those present observed a minute of silence in memory of the soldiers who gave their lives in defense of the homeland. Dozens of people also came to remember the historical events.
Markéta Pekarová Adamová, Miloš Vystrčil and Petr Fiala at the commemoration of the 78th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. | Photo: CTK
Ukraine must continue to be supported, the Prime Minister emphasized
“It is important to remember the end of the Second World War also in connection with how the security situation in the world has worsened. In connection with the fact that a war is taking place not far from us, which with its horrors reminds us of the tragedy of the Second World War. All this reminds us of that security, independence, freedom are not self-evident,” Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS) told journalists.
According to him, the Czech Republic has the advantage of being a member of the EU and NATO. “Membership in the North Atlantic Alliance means that we are aware of our responsibility, that we participate in collective defense, that we contribute enough to be so strong that no one dares to attack us. This is a great guarantee of peace for us,” he said premier.
He said that it is necessary to think about those who are fighting for the right to decide their own destiny in Ukraine. “To a large extent – and this is not a phrase – they are also fighting for us. It is necessary for Russia to fail with its aggressive policy. For it to see that the path of aggression is not the path to fulfill its goals,” said Fiala. He added that it is therefore necessary to continue supporting Ukraine.
According to the prime minister, the Czech Republic, thanks to its experience with totalitarianism and occupations, has provided humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine since the beginning. It thus became an example for many countries that joined, the Prime Minister pointed out. He mentioned that the Czech Republic also supports Ukraine’s ambitions to integrate into Western groups.
