RFE/RL: Prague activists rally for EU military aid to Ukraine in symbolic performance

According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, activists staged a rally in the Czech capital on April 21 in support of the EU’s military aid plan for Ukraine, developed by the Estonian Defense Ministry.

Co-organizer of the performance, Michal Maizner, explained at the event in Prague’s Old Town Square that the aim was to support Estonia’s proposal to allocate at least 0.25% of the GDP of each EU member state to support Ukraine. He said these funds should be enough to force Russia to abandon the war because in such a case the country “could not sustain the war financially.”

“The Estonian Ministry of Defense presented its plan in December or January, with each country contributing a quarter of a percent of its GDP, a relatively modest amount. In financial terms this amounts to 120 billion euros. However, our financial strength is considerable.

They suggest that countries can turn to financial markets if it is difficult to distribute such funds from the budget, because, unlike Russia, we have unlimited access to them. We are financially robust. Therefore, it is disheartening to see how Ukraine, which defends Europe, does not have the resources it needs. They face financial constraints.

So the problem is not with the reserves, but with the financing.” Maizner explained.

During the performance, activists unfurled a Ukrainian flag, symbolically ‘attacking’ a vehicle with the image of the ‘Z monster’, which represented the aggressive Russian regime and its army, which initiated the invasion of Ukraine and likely massive war crimes committed against both countries. Ukrainian military personnel and civilians. Towards the end, a banner with the message ‘Estonian plan 0.25 GDP will stop Russia’ triumphed over the ‘Z monster’.

“Today, April 21, we gathered in the Old Town Square. This initiative was led by Czech activists, and we joined them.

Our exhibition featured a model of Russia: a grotesque creature with shattered buildings in its mouth, representing the ongoing bombardment by Russian forces that continues to devastate civilian areas. Next to the flag of the European Union, we have exhibited the ‘Estonian plan’, which symbolizes the hope to expel this monster from Ukraine and thus enable the country’s reconstruction and resilience.” said Anastasia Signaevska, the leader of the ‘Voice of Ukraine’ initiative.

The demonstration in Prague took place against the backdrop of the passage of a $61 billion aid package for Ukraine by the US House of Representatives.

The demonstration in Prague coincided with the US House of Representatives’ approval of a $61 billion aid package for Ukraine.

Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee said more than a third of that amount would go toward replenishing weapons and ammunition systems for the U.S. military. More than a third of these funds will actually remain in the US, as they will be spent replenishing US weapons and supplies transferred to Ukraine.

The remainder of the funds provided by the bill will be distributed to purchase advanced weapons systems, defense products, and defense services for Ukraine, spent on ongoing U.S. military operations in Europe and used to ensure oversight and accountability of assistance to Ukraine to continue.

On April 20, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to the US House of Representatives for the decision to provide military aid to Ukraine. World leaders reflected Ukraine’s gratitude to the US, with some suggesting months of delays could have been avoided.

“Ukraine is using the weapons supplied by NATO allies to destroy Russia’s combat capabilities. This makes us all safer in Europe and North America.” said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Furthermore, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron claimed that Ukraine can and will win with Western support.

Also read: