Czech citizens donate record amounts to support Ukraine

In late February, a tense meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sparked a surge of support for Ukraine in the Czech Republic. Citizens quickly donated hundreds of millions of Czech crowns to help both humanitarian efforts and military needs, similar to the wave of support seen after Russia's invasion of Ukraine three years ago. Czech citizens have been very generous. They have contributed nearly €300 million, or about $326 million, since the beginning of the war. Many people also focused on funding weapons for Ukraine. A special account at the Ukrainian Embassy in Prague collected significant funds to purchase ammunition and weapons from Czech companies. One successful initiative, named "Darek pro Putina" (Gift for Putin), has raised substantial funds for military supplies. The group has delivered thousands of drones, rockets, and heavy equipment to the Ukrainian army. After the Oval Office exchange, they received a notable increase in donations, showing a heightened willingness among Czechs to help. The creator of "Darek pro Putina," Dalibor Dedek, is a wealthy entrepreneur. He has invested personally in the initiative and expressed pride in his fellow citizens' support for Ukraine. The funds have been used to buy a range of military equipment, with upcoming plans for a Black Hawk helicopter. Another group, "Skupina D - Drony Nemesis," is focused on raising money for technologically advanced drones. They have also seen a surge in donations in response to the US meeting, highlighting continued public interest in supporting Ukraine. Humanitarian aid efforts have also received a boost. The organization People in Need reported a significant increase in contributions for their "SOS Ukraine" campaign following the Oval Office clash. Recent opinion polls suggested a decline in interest among Czechs regarding the Ukraine conflict. However, the situation appears to have changed with the recent events, reigniting public concern. The Czech Republic will hold elections this fall, and it remains to be seen how these developments will influence voter opinions on aid to Ukraine.