A fresh diplomatic row erupted Sunday between the pro-Russian president of the Czech Republic and the U.S., reflecting a widening gap between the head of the small European Union state and his own country’s politicians, allies and public.
Milos Zeman Sunday said the U.S. ambassador is now unwelcome at his office because of the diplomat’s recent doubts about whether the president’s participation in a coming Russian military parade commemorating World War II is wise.
“I’m not going to allow any ambassador to interfere with my travel plans,” Zeman told a local news agency.
President Zeman plans to be in Moscow on May 9—likely as the sole Western head of state—to stand alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un observing a large military parade to honor the Russian military for its role in the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, Wall Street Journal said on Monday.
Most Western leaders are likely to stay away from the event because of Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and its support for rebels in Ukraine’s east. German Chancellor Angela Merkel will visit the Russian capital May 10, the day after the parade.
Andrew Schapiro, U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic, earlier in the week told Czech Television he recognizes the Russian contribution to freeing parts of Europe from Nazi occupation 70 years ago, but added the symbolism of Zeman “standing on a platform reviewing a [Russian] military parade at a time when that military is destabilizing a European nation…is not really a good message to send.”
When asked whether he would invite the ambassador to his office at Prague Castle to talk through the situation, Zeman said “I’m afraid that after this statement doors to the Castle are closed for Ambassador Schapiro.”