Anti-Ukrainian Rhetoric in Czech New Year Speech Triggers Surge in Arms Donations

Czech far-right politician Tomio Okamura’s anti-Ukrainian remarks in a New Year’s address appear to have had an unintended consequence.

Rather than dampening public support for Ukraine, the speech coincided with a sharp increase in donations from Czech citizens for weapons and equipment for Ukraine’s Armed Forces.

The spike was confirmed by organisers of a prominent civic fundraising campaign and illustrates a familiar pattern in Central Europe: hostile rhetoric towards Ukraine often mobilises, rather than weakens, grassroots solidarity.

Donations Surge After January 1

According to Martin Ondraček, leader of the Czech initiative Dárek pro Putina, contributions rose dramatically immediately after Okamura published his New Year’s speech on January 1.

On that day alone, the initiative received 780,000 Czech korunas, nearly €26,500. The following day brought in an additional 954,000 korunas, around €32,350. For comparison, during the first two days of the previous year, the campaign collected just 162,000 and 191,000 korunas, respectively.

“These are extremely high amounts,” Ondraček said, noting that the donations came during the Christmas holiday period, when many supporters had already contributed in December. The contrast, he added, was impossible to ignore.

When Insults Become Mobilisation

Ondraček stressed that this was not an isolated incident. Each time Ukraine or its leadership becomes the target of insults or threats, public willingness to donate tends to rise to help the country fight against Russian invasion.

In his New Year’s message, Okamura, leader of the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy party, spoke out against assistance to Ukraine and referred to what he called “Zelensky’s junta.” The language closely mirrored narratives promoted by the Kremlin, framing support for Kyiv as illegitimate or dangerous.

Rather than persuading the public, the message appears to have galvanised those who see Ukraine’s defence as a moral and security imperative.

Diplomatic Row Follows the Speech

The remarks did not go unnoticed diplomatically. Ukrainian Ambassador to Prague Vasyl Zvarych publicly condemned Okamura’s statements, describing them as reflective of Russian propaganda and unacceptable in a democratic society.

The response triggered a political backlash in Prague. Czech politician Petr Macinka criticised the ambassador’s comments as inappropriate, while former prime minister Andrej Babiš argued that diplomatic etiquette had been breached.

Kyiv pushed back. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha rejected the criticism and defended Zvarych’s right to call out rhetoric he viewed as harmful. On January 6, Sybiha announced that after discussions with his Czech counterpart, both parties reached a decision to “move forward” with the controversy.

Civil Society Versus Political Noise

The episode highlights a widening gap between segments of political discourse and public sentiment in the Czech Republic. While far-right voices attempt to normalise scepticism or hostility towards Ukraine, civic initiatives continue to translate outrage into tangible support.

Dárek pro Putina has become a symbol of this phenomenon. The campaign regularly raises funds for ammunition, equipment, and other material support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, often responding directly to developments in the political narrative.

In this case, a speech intended to discourage aid appears to have done the opposite.

For analysts, the message is blunt. In societies where support for Ukraine is rooted in lived historical experience and security concerns, overtly anti-Ukrainian rhetoric risks backfiring. It does not merely provoke debate; it activates networks of donors, volunteers, and organisers who respond with their wallets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did donations increase after Okamura’s speech?
Many Czechs reacted to anti-Ukrainian rhetoric by increasing financial support for Ukraine.

What is Dárek pro Putina?
A Czech civic initiative that raises funds for weapons and equipment for Ukraine’s military.

How large was the donation spike?
Nearly €60,000 was raised in the first two days of January, several times more than last year.

How did Ukraine respond diplomatically?
Ukraine’s ambassador criticised the remarks, triggering a brief diplomatic dispute.