Czech Republic may declare state of emergency to help Ukrainians fleeing war

By Mehmet Yilmaz and Askin Kiyagan

PRAGUE (AA) - The Czech Republic may declare a state of emergency to provide help to Ukrainians fleeing their country amid the war with Russia, Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said Wednesday.

Rakusan said on Twitter that it will probably be necessary to declare a state of emergency for this purpose.

He underlined that the government will decide when to put the state of emergency into effect, adding it would allow local governments to use their resources more effectively.

The Czech Republic meanwhile decided to close the Czech House restaurant and hotel in Russia’s capital Moscow due to concerns over its citizens’ safety in Russia.

At least 20,000 Ukrainians have arrived in the republic so far due to the Russia-Ukraine war and this number is expected to increase in the coming days, local media cited Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala as saying.

Fiala noted that the government will prepare a draft law for Ukrainians to work in the Czech Republic.

-100 Czechs volunteer to fight against Russia

In the meantime, many Czech citizens have applied to the Czech Presidency to fight in the ranks of Ukraine, local media reported.

At least 100 people applied to fight against Russia, and President Milos Zeman will discuss the issue with Prime Minister Fiala, local media reported, citing the Czech Presidency’s statement.

The Czech Republic’s constitution outlaws Czech citizens from fighting on behalf of other countries, and only the Czech president can give Czech citizens clearance to fight.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree Tuesday allowing visa-free entry for foreign volunteer fighters.

"From March 1, a visa-free entry regime has been introduced for foreigners wishing to join the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine temporarily for the period of martial law," said the decree.

Russia's war on Ukraine, which began on Feb. 24, has met with international outrage, with the European Union, US and the UK among others implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow.

At least 142 civilians in Ukraine have been killed, including 13 children, and 408 others wounded, including 26 children, according to UN figures.

More than 874,000 people have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries, the UN Refugee Agency said Wednesday.