EU ties Ukrainian protection to military service as Czech travel to Kyiv sparks debate

New European Union rules extending temporary protection for displaced Ukrainians until March 2028 have taken effect, conditioning residency status on fulfilling military obligations to Kyiv.

Meanwhile, domestic policy and diplomacy linked to Ukraine are stirring debate in the Czech Republic. A specialized police unit, Kobra 26, is investigating organized labor agency chains and undeclared employment involving Ukrainian workers, with parliamentary committee discussions warning that tax evasion could cost the state billions of korunas.

Concurrently, Czech official travel to Ukraine has caused internal political friction. Parliamentary Deputy Speaker Barbora Urbanová visited Kyiv despite her travel request being previously rejected by the parliamentary committee. Meanwhile, Chief of General Staff Miroslav Hlaváč is awaiting defense ministry authorization to attend an upcoming security summit in Ukraine.

Sources: Ekonomický deník, iROZHLAS, Respect, Seznam Zprávy