Leader of winning Czech party says Ukraine not ready to join EU

KATERYNA TYSHCHENKO - 4 October, 23:32

Andrej Babiš. Photo: Getty Images

Andrej Babiš, former Czech prime minister and leader of the ANO party, which is winning in the parliamentary elections, has stated that Ukraine is not ready to join the European Union and that the ammunition procurement initiative for Ukraine should be organised by NATO.

Source: Babiš in a comment to Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne

Details: When asked whether he supports Ukraine's accession to the EU, Babiš said: "But you are not prepared for the EU. We have to end the war first and, of course, we can cooperate with Ukraine, but you are not ready for the EU."

Babiš said he had met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy three times, including in November 2019, and that he has supported Ukraine since the Russian occupation of Crimea.

Quote: "We are helping Ukraine through the EU. The EU is helping Ukraine, and it is within the European budget, and we are paying a lot of money into the European budget, and this is the way that we can continue to help."

Details: Commenting on the Czech-led ammunition procurement initiative for Ukraine, Babiš said: "It should be transparent, and if there is a war, nobody should make money because of the war. It should be organised by NATO."

Background: With more than 95% of votes counted in the parliamentary elections in Czechia, the populist ANO party is leading but has not secured an absolute majority in parliament.

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