EU ties Ukrainian residency protection to military duties as Czech political debates persist

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

In the Czech Republic, domestic integration issues and diplomatic friction continue to unfold. The specialized police unit Kobra 26 is investigating tax evasion and unregistered labor agency networks that officials estimate cost the state billions of korunas each year.

At the same time, official visits to Ukraine are sparking debate in Prague. Deputy Parliamentary Speaker Barbora Urbanová met Ukrainian counterpart Olena Kondratyuk in Kyiv despite a previous rejection from a parliamentary committee. Chief of the General Staff Miroslav Hlaváč is also awaiting Defense Ministry authorization to attend an upcoming military summit in Ukraine, while lawmakers remain divided over joining a Ukrainian drone development initiative.

Sources: Český rozhlas Plus, Ekonomický deník, iROZHLAS, Respect, Seznam Zprávy