Russia’s imperial ambitions are not limited to Ukraine; it has intensified its harmful aggressive actions and is trying to drive a wedge between the two sides of the Atlantic. This was emphasized by Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský at a meeting of the OSCE Council of Foreign Ministers in Vienna.
The Czech diplomat stressed that Russia’s illegal, unjust, and unprovoked aggressive war against Ukraine continues despite serious peace efforts by the United States, Europe, and Ukraine itself. “Russia shows no willingness to end this aggression or agree to a ceasefire,” he underlined.
Lipavský stated that Russia has violated the UN Charter and all the principles of the Helsinki Final Act without exception.
“It seeks not merely a sphere of influence, but a sphere of domination over Ukraine and, ultimately, far beyond its borders,” he said.
“The imperial ambitions of Moscow, like the threat to Ukraine, do not stop at Ukraine’s borders. All of Europe is at risk. Russia has intensified its harmful and dangerous activities on land, at sea, and in the air. It conducts psychological, and at times even physical, operations against all of us. It is trying to drive a wedge between the two sides of the Atlantic while simultaneously undermining trust and spreading fear in European societies. Airspace violations, sabotage, and other hybrid operations are a stark reminder of Russia’s aggressive intentions,” emphasized the Czech Foreign Minister.
At the same time, he stressed that the Czech Republic, together with other allies and partners, “will not allow itself to be intimidated by these actions.”
Lipavský highlighted Czech support for Ukraine, noting that Prague is “at the forefront of European Union efforts to increase the cost for Moscow through strengthened sanctions against Russia and its accomplices.”
