Main image: Ukraine’s air defence is being fortified against Russian aggression through a joint effort. Source: GOV.UK
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and the head of the Czech government, Petr Fiala, agreed to cooperate on training Ukrainian F-16 pilots.
The head of the Ukrainian government announced this at a briefing following his meeting with the Czech counterpart.
“We will strengthen the integration of the Ukrainian and Czech defense industries. Additionally, we agreed on cooperation in training Ukrainian F-16 pilots,” he said.
Shmyhal noted that both sides confirmed the importance of further increasing military, financial-economic, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
At the same time, the Prime Minister emphasized that the Czech side will actively support Ukraine’s European integration, including advisory assistance during the EU pre-accession negotiations.
He also expressed gratitude for the adoption of the EU’s 17th sanctions package against Russia, where, according to the Prime Minister, the Czech Republic played an important role.
“We also agreed with Prime Minister Fiala to activate bilateral trade, cooperation in energy, agriculture, transport, medicine, reconstruction, and joint production,” Shmyhal added.
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the creation of a Ukrainian-Czech F-16 school within the aviation coalition, which will be located outside Ukraine.
On May 20, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal met with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala in Zakarpattia. During the event, the parties signed a memorandum of cooperation.