A Czech military plane with expelled employees of the Czech Embassy in Moscow landed at Prague’s Ruzyně Airport. Russia has expelled 20 diplomats as a reaction to initial deportation of 18 employees of the Russian embassy in Prague.
Hamáček thanked the embassy staff on arrival, mentioning that they were having a hard time, even if they had done nothing.
“They just fought for the Czech Republic. We will do our best to make this difficult moment easier for them, we will provide them with maximum service, and facilities because some of them simply have nowhere to return, they did not have apartments here, so we will provide accommodation,” said Hamáček.
Czechia decided to expel 18 Russian diplomats from the Czech Republic due to an explosion in the area of an ammunition facility in Vrbětice in the Zlín region in 2014. According to the suspicion of the Czech security forces, two Russian agents were involved. According to the Czech authorities, the deported employees of the Russian embassy are connected to the Russian secret services. They left Prague in the afternoon with their families on board the Russian special.
Hamáček should discuss with Prime Minister Andrej Babiš on Tuesday or Wednesday about the further progress of the Czech Republic. According to the Prime Minister, the reaction of Russia, which expelled more diplomats than the Czech Republic, was inadequate.