Macinka: Russian raw materials are not an issue for Czechia while war in Ukraine continues

As long as the war in Ukraine continues, Russian raw materials are not an issue for Czechia, believes Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka. He said this after today's meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. He also voiced support for expanding the EU naval mission Aspides to the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, because Iran is blocking the strait, which is crucial for oil transport and has led to a significant increase in the price of the commodity.

Today, Czech journalists asked Macinka about remarks by Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, who called over the weekend for an end to the war in Ukraine and the normalisation of relations with Russia in order to regain access to cheap raw materials. The Czech minister said that his Belgian counterpart Maxime Prévot had “slightly” qualified his prime minister’s words today, and expressed his conviction that the Czech Republic is not in such a difficult position regarding energy supplies that it would have to call for normalising relations with Russia.

According to Macinka, Czechia is ready to offer Slovakia a reverse flow of oil to help it, “so that we do not get into a situation where we come under pressure to look to Russian raw materials. I don’t think that is necessary. And in my view, as long as the war in Ukraine continues, it is probably not even an issue,” the Czech foreign minister added.

Regarding the war waged by Israel and the United States against Iran, he noted that ministers also discussed today the possible expansion of the EU naval mission Aspides. The mission currently focuses on ensuring the safety of cargo vessels sailing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait off the coast of Yemen, where Houthi rebels who control part of the country have launched attacks.

Macinka called the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which around one-fifth of the world’s oil supplies normally flow, a fairly powerful tool in the hands of the Iranian regime. “So it would certainly be in our interest, and not only Europe’s, to do something about it. So we would certainly be in favour. That is clear,” he said of the possibility of expanding the Aspides mission.