Czech President urges to support Ukraine until Russians withdraw

Czech President Milos Zeman has called for further support for Ukraine, including military assistance, and expressed confidence that Russia would eventually have to pull from Ukraine.

The president announced this in his traditional televised Christmas address, Ukrinform reports.

"I am convinced that sooner or later the pressure of free countries will force Russia to leave the territory of Ukraine," said the head of state in a greeting that was broadcast on Czech TV channels.

The president called the Russian aggression against Ukraine "the most significant event of the passing year."

Zeman admitted that he personally has always been a supporter of "correct" economic relations with the Russian Federation, especially through the supply of relatively cheap energy.

"But there are situations where economic interests have to give way to security interests. And this aggression threatens global security, and thus the security of the Czech Republic. Therefore, I fully support the assistance of the Czech Republic to Ukraine, which is fighting, and I believe that sooner or later the pressure of free countries will force Russia to leave the territory of Ukraine," Zeman said.

He mentioned among the challenges energy crisis and inflation, which are also a result of Russian aggression.

This year's Christmas address was Zeman's last as head of state. After two terms in office, he can no longer, and would not be able to, due to his health condition, run for a third term. The elections will be held on January 13 and 14.

Before Russia's full-scale attack on Ukraine, Zeman was considered a pro-Russian politician and opponent of tough EU sanctions against the Russian Federation.