MP Ondřej Kolář (TOP 09) wants to negotiate with the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Foreign Affairs about finding ways to motivate Ukrainians to return home.
Minister of the Interior Vít Rakušan (STAN) said on Sunday in the Party program on CNN Prima News that the coalition is discussing with the opposition parties an amendment to the regulation called Lex Ukraine. It could allow refugees to stay for a long time, but under strict conditions.
Harsh conditions for refugees
“Not a crown from the Czech state, my own home, my own job, my children are demonstrably going to school, I have a clean criminal record and no debt,” the Austrian named the possible conditions.
If people are already in the EU and do not commit a crime there, the possibility of returning them is small, added the Austrian. “Then we talk about international law. At this moment, repatriation due to violation of military service in another country is simply not possible,” he emphasized.
Any measures that TOP 09 wants to discuss in the coalition would only affect men subject to Ukrainian military service, the party said. According to TOP 09 chairwoman Markéta Pekarová Adamová, this is an extremely sensitive topic. “That’s why I want us to deal with it transparently, without undue nationalism and with the clear intention of helping Ukraine, despite the difficulty it entails,” she said.
Lack of Ukrainian soldiers
In a few days, a new mobilization law will come into effect in Ukraine, and in the streets of the cities there, officers are already looking for men who should be on the front lines. But those who fled the country are also under stress from being forced to return home.
“This is the type of help that Ukrainian politicians asked for when I was negotiating with them in Ukraine. We are sending weapons, money, and this is the next step to help them defend against Russian aggression. It’s not popular, but it’s necessary,” says Kolář.
According to him, it is necessary to continue to protect and support war refugees, women, children and the elderly. “However, we should not overlook the fact that while the Czech Republic and Czech citizens largely support Ukraine, some of its residents are avoiding their obligations with our financial support. This is exactly what I want the government to solve as quickly as possible,” said Kolář.
According to Kolář, a pan-European solution would be ideal, according to him, it could be inspired by the considerations of Poland and Lithuania, where a change in access to social benefits, work permits or other documents that Ukrainians need in the EU is being considered. “Another possible tool that can be considered is the visa policy. These are ways that we think the Czech government should also consider,” Kolář said.
According to the latest data from the Ministry of the Interior, 345,000 Ukrainian war refugees have temporary protection in the Czech Republic as of the beginning of May.
Tags: Politicians decide fighting men Czech Republic return Ukraine
