Planes of Stumbling: Czech President argues with government over aid to Ukraine

Last Friday, January 16, 2026, Ukrainian and foreign media reported that Czech President Petr Pavel announced during his visit to Kyiv that the Czech Republic would provide Ukraine with combat aircraft that are effective against drones. This was apparently about the L-159 ALCA light jets, subsonic machines with the ability to carry AIM-9 Sidewinder, guns and missiles.

For example, according to Reuters, Petr Pavel said during a press conference with Volodymyr Zelenskyy: "The Czech Republic can provide several medium combat aircraft in a relatively short time, which are very effective in the fight against drones, and I believe that we will be able to resolve this issue quickly and successfully."

Dispute between Czech officials and politicians

In Ukraine, the news was immediately replicated by the media, but on Monday, January 19, Czech media outlets such as České Novyny reported that the Czech Republic would not sell L-159 aircraft to Ukraine. This was announced to journalists after a meeting of the leaders of the ruling coalition parties by the head of the SPD, Tomio Okamura, who said that the coalition had made such a decision.

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) later said at a press conference after the government meeting that the coalition had not made a decision on this issue, but only stated what Defense Minister Jaromír Zuna (SPD) had told him. According to Babish, the army needs airplanes.

"We don't decide on the plane, the army does, and the army has decided that it needs this plane," Babish said. According to him, the aircraft's service life extends beyond 2040.

Babish also told reporters that he coordinates his policy with the president. He spoke with him on the phone about the issue on Sunday.

Accusations against the president

Then the quarrel between the government coalition and the president became more serious.

"President Petr Pavel did not consult with the government on the offer of aircraft for Ukraine," Foreign Minister Petr Macinka (car) responded in the Question Time section of Vaclav Moravec to reports that the president had said during his visit to Kyiv that the Czech Republic could supply several medium combat aircraft in a short time. According to Macinka, he behaved "like an elephant in a china shop."

"I don't know if he shouldn't focus on some symbolic acts, laying wreaths, receiving state awards. But this is not really his competence to make decisions, he has to coordinate them, he has to ask questions. But it is really very counterproductive to announce things to the media without a dialog with the government," added Matsinka.

President's response

President Pavel rejected Matsinka's criticism. According to him, the Ukrainian side has offered to purchase L-159 aircraft, which he called an opportunity for the Czech manufacturer.

For his part, Petr Pavel said that the sale of the four planes to Ukraine would not undermine the Czech Republic's defense capabilities. By deciding not to sell them, we are approaching selfishness, not solidarity, he said.

According to the president, Ukrainians have been showing interest in L-159 aircraft for six months.

"The talks in Ukraine were a continuation of previous negotiations, in particular on Matsinkova," the president explained. The Ukrainians have reportedly been interested in the L-159 for at least six months, as they viewed it as exceptionally suitable for fighting drones. In the past, it was a loan or charity.

According to Pavlo, this time the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed the purchase because Kyiv needs the aircraft.

"My reaction to that was that in that case it could speed up the whole thing considerably," President Pavel said, adding that it would be discussed at a meeting of the Czech government.

As for Macinka's accusations, Pavel responded by pointing to his lack of experience.

"Experienced people, and especially diplomats, are distinguished by the fact that they check information before drawing any conclusions. Especially when they decide to lecture the president of the republic," Czech Radio quoted Pavel as saying.

The Czech President sees the provision of the aircraft not only as an opportunity to significantly help Ukraine, but also as an extraordinary opportunity for the Czech Republic. If the L-159s prove to be suitable for fighting drones, he believes that this will be the best benchmark for their manufacturer, Aero Vodochody. According to the president, this will create opportunities for the domestic industry.

Tomio Okamura (SPD), the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, although opposed to Petr Pavel's initiative, also noted that the president's statement was edited by Ukrainian media and later adopted by Czech media.

Володимир Шкаєв