Scandal with the Ukrainian flag in the Czech Republic: Stefanchuk reacts
7 November 16:40
The new speaker of the Czech Chamber of Deputies, Tomio Okamura, has removed the Ukrainian flag from the parliament building, which has been hanging there since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
The politician posted a video on the social network X, where a worker removes the flag, and Okamura himself stands next to a ladder, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
“The Czech Republic comes first,” he commented.
Kyiv’s reaction
The chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk , called it a “dubious achievement.”
“The Ukrainian flag is the shrine of our people. It is the first to appear in the liberated territories, and it is used to cover the coffins of our heroes. Therefore, tearing down the Ukrainian flag from the parliament building of a European country is a dubious achievement. Even if you are just supporting the ladder,” he wrote.
Stefanchuk emphasized that today the Ukrainian flag is a symbol of freedom that deserves special respect.
How the Czech Republic reacted
The decision of the new speaker caused resistance among the country’s leading political parties. Within hours of the incident, three factions hung Ukrainian flags from their windows in the parliament.
- TheCivic Democratic Party (ODS ) reported that it had “corrected the first step of the new speaker”.
- The Mayors and Independents (STAN) party called Okamura’s actions a manifestation of disregard for the values of solidarity.
- “TheCzech Pirate Party stated that the Ukrainian flag is a symbol of resistance and courage in the face of Russian aggression.
Thus, the parliament building was again covered with yellow and blue colors – but now not from one, but from several floors.
Reaction of Ukrainian diplomacy
Ambassador of Ukraine to the Czech Republic Vasyl Zvarych thanked Czech parties and citizens for their support.
“Russia is afraid of the Ukrainian flag because it is the flag of freedom, dignity and invincibility of free people. Thank you to everyone who respects it today – and for the fact that there are even more Ukrainian flags on the buildings in Prague,” he wrote on Facebook.
Who is Tomio Okamura?
Okamura is a Czech politician of Japanese descent, the leader of the right-wing populist movement Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD). The party is known for its anti-immigrant rhetoric and critical statements regarding aid to Ukraine.
His election as Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies signals a growing Euroscepticism in the Czech political environment.
What it means
The flag incident revealed a deeper split in Czech politics: between those who support Ukraine as a symbol of the struggle for European values and those who appeal to “national priority” and distancing themselves from the war.
Despite Okamura’s gestures, solidarity with Ukraine in the Czech Republic remains strong – and, as observers note, the number of Ukrainian flags in Prague has only increased since the incident.
