Russia initiated an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council over the shelling of Belgorod, insisting that Czech weaponry was involved and demanding Czech participation; however, Prague refused.
This information was reported by European Pravda.
Following explosions in the center of Belgorod with civilian casualties on December 30, Dmitry Polyanskiy, the First Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN, announced that Russia had requested an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council. At the same time, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that Czech RZV Vampire shells were supposedly used during the shelling.
"We also insist on the presence of Czech PR to the UN to explain why this country’s ammunition is being used for killing civilians in Belgorod," added Polyanskiy.
Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský responded by dismissing Moscow's claims as propaganda, stating that Prague would not participate in the meeting.
"We refuse to be summoned anywhere by Russia. Czechia will not serve the lie-poisoned propaganda of the aggressor. When Russia wants to discuss the withdrawal of its occupying troops at the Security Council, we will be happy to come," he wrote.
Later, the official response from the Czech deputy representative at the UN was also published.
"The Czech Republic expresses regret for every life lost due to Russia's unlawful and baseless aggressive war against Ukraine for nearly two years. Only Russia is responsible for tens of thousands of casualties on both sides," it stated.
"Russia has repeatedly used the UN Security Council platform to spread disinformation and propaganda about the war. We have no reason to believe that today's briefing will be any different, so the Czech Republic will not participate. The clear and consistent position of the Czech Republic is that Russia must immediately stop this war and withdraw its troops from the entire territory of Ukraine. This is the only way to achieve a just and lasting peace in accordance with the UN Charter," the letter emphasized.
