Czech President Petr Pavel has said that Russia cannot be allowed to win the war against Ukraine because its aggression will undermine the international order built on agreed rules and cooperation. That is why support for Ukraine is critically important.

"We already have experience [of this], and there is no need to speculate that Russia will never accept its loss of political influence on our country. And it is also obvious that such an outcome would inspire other countries that think the same as Russia," Czech news agency ČTK cites the speech by the Czech president to ambassadors in Prague Castle.

The Czech president stressed that Russia's victory in the full-scale war against Ukraine cannot be allowed, and "Russia’s aggression and increasing assertiveness threaten to undermine the international order based on agreed rules and cooperation."

Separately, Pavel explained that he considered support for Ukraine not only a matter of solidarity and morally right but also critical to ensure the security of Czechia.

He also called for conditions to be created for Ukraine to become a full member of the EU and NATO after the war ends and the necessary criteria are met.

In June, the Czech government approved a report by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reconsidering its relations with Russia, in which it described Russia as a source of threats and security risks for Czechia and Europe in the coming decades unless there is a fundamental transformation of Russian society.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský said earlier that Prague saw no prospect of improving relations with Russia, even if its leadership changes, until the country undergoes significant changes and ceases to be a threat to its neighbours.