The other members of the Visegrád Group have expressed solidarity and support for the Czech Republic’s accusations against Russia that allege foul play in a 2014 bombing in Vrbětice.
In a new joint declaration, the prime ministers of Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia declared their support for the Czech Republic, and reiterated that they also believed that Russia was behind the attack on a Vrbětice ammunitions factory.
The statement was signed off on by Poland, whose Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki chairs the V4.
“We, the Prime Ministers of Poland, Hungary and Slovakia, express our full solidarity with the Czech Republic, our close partner and neighbor, in connection with the participation of Russian military intelligence agents in the events that led to the 2014 attack on the ammunition depot in Vrbětice.”
According to Czech intelligence, Russian secret service attacked the ammunition compound in reaction to it allegedly selling supplies to Russian enemies. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš alleges that two Russian nationals, Alexander Mishkin and Anatoly Chepiga were largely responsible for the bombing and that both men need to be investigated.
The V4 statement vaguely hints at more reactions to Russian aggression, and frames the attack as one on all of Europe.
“Together with the Czech Prime Minister, we strongly condemn the illegal and violent actions of Russian intelligence agents. We will not allow these actions to divide Europe. The Visegrad countries are determined to take steps to strengthen our resilience together with other EU member states.”
Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Pawel Jabloński told Polish Radio that “If necessary, we will take further steps, because Russian politics is unfortunately still defined by aggression.”
