Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin discussed a proposed ceasefire in Ukraine on Tuesday afternoon after which both Ukraine and Russia agreed to a 30-day pause on energy facility strikes. Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský warned that while he would like peace, it must be one that prevents Russia from being able to threaten Czechia with its imperialist ambitions.

The US government is halting financial support for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), whose headquarters is based in Prague. The organization has 21 bureaus and broadcasts in 27 languages to 23 countries, promoting independent journalism. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský is discussing whether the EU can take over and continue broadcasting at the Council of Europe meeting in Brussels on Monday.

As the security situation in Europe grows more uncertain, Czech leaders are calling for urgent steps to strengthen the country’s defenses. US support seems less certain than ever and the Old Continent may soon find that it has to fend for itself.

Top officials met at Prague Castle on Monday to discuss the foreign policy and security developments of Europe and the world. President Pavel acknowledged that Czechia desires a close alliance with the United States, but that Europe must also be prepared for a scenario in which the continent has to rely on itself.

Property damage due to extreme weather events in Czechia has been increasing for a long time. According to the Czech Association of Insurance Companies, last year was another confirmation of this trend. Due to the autumn floods, as well as other intense storms and precipitation, covered damages reached more than CZK 36 billion. But this is not a Czech specialty—insurance companies all over the world are dealing with it.

The heated meeting that took place last week on Friday in the Oval Office between US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky led to increased interest in Czechia in financial aid to Ukraine.

As the US announce suspension of military aid to Ukraine, Czechia must prepare for potential escalation and increased Russian influence efforts, warns political scientist Jiří Pehe. In an interview, he outlined the key security challenges Czechia faces and the role it must play in European defense.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala has urged a boost in military aid to Ukraine in light of the European leaders' summit in London. He stated that this is the only way to prevent an aggressive Russia from advancing just a few hundred kilometers from Czechia. Fiala added that lasting peace in Europe can only be achieved through a well-armed continent, which will require increasing defense spending to at least 3% of GDP.

Hundreds of Czech farmers joined pan-European protests against food imports from outside the European Union on Thursday. They are calling for the cancellation of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, an end to duty-free imports from Ukraine and significant cuts in red tape.

Motol University Hospital, the largest medical facility in Czechia, has found itself at the centre of a serious anti-corruption operation by Czech police. Seventeen people have been accused so far, among them the hospital’s director, Miloslav Ludvík, who was dismissed from the position by Minister of Health Vlastimil Válek on the day that the operation began.