Several billboards have appeared in the Czech city of Ostrava, featuring a photograph of former Member of Parliament Lubomír Volný shaking hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin, alongside the slogan “Russia is not an enemy, Russia is an opportunity.”
Volný shared the images on his social media.
“Russia is not an enemy; it is an opportunity to solve energy poverty. It is a chance for peace, and Russia is ready to discuss disarmament initiatives,” Volný remarked. He also added that “Europe needs more Putins and Orbáns (Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán) and fewer criminals like the EU and NATO.”
The placement of these billboards comes at a time when the Czech government officially maintains an anti-Russian stance.
However, Ostrava has previously made headlines for voices advocating closer ties with Russia. In 2016, for example, Nela Liškova opened the “Representative Center of the DPR” (Donetsk People’s Republic) there, and she recently received a suspended sentence for publicly calling for the de-Ukrainization of the Czech Republic.
