Senator Doubrava discussed cultural exchange with the head of the Russian occupation administration in Crimea

“I am happy to welcome our friend and guest from the Czech Republic, Jaroslav Doubrava, to the Republic of Crimea, who is known for his many years of support for our country and initiatives to establish friendly and partnership relations with Russia,” Aksyonov described the visit. “Together with Mr. Doubrava, we discussed the cultural exchange between our nations, matters of trade relations in the light of current events and explored the possibilities of cooperation,” he added.

According to the official report of the Crimean parliament, Doubrava said that he represents “many ordinary Czechs who do not support the policies of their government”, as well as businessmen who want to do business with Crimea despite the sanctions. Doubrava is known for his pro-Russian activities and support for the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He did not change his opinion even after the Russian army invaded Ukraine on February 24.

Russia and its officials can use such visits. “This is very important for Russian propaganda. They show that Russia is not completely isolated and that Western politicians go there,” David Stulík, who worked for 12 years as a spokesman for the EU delegation in Kyiv, told Deník N. The head of the foreign affairs committee of the Senate, Pavel Fischer, pointed out that supporting and glorifying a military aggressor, such as Russia is now, can be a crime.

In the Senate, Doubrava was repeatedly against the resolutions related to the Russian-Ukrainian war. In April, he was the only senator to vote against the position that Russia must bear the consequences for waging war against Ukraine, including paying reparations, and that Russian officials responsible for war crimes must be brought to justice and punished. In June, Doubrava did not support a resolution in which the Senate appealed to EU member states to grant Ukraine the status of a candidate country.