‘Europe needs to keep supporting Ukraine against Russia’, says deputy Czech foreign minister

We spoke to the deputy Czech foreign minister Eduard Hulicius and started by asking him if he thought anything would change between now and the beginning of next year when Donald Trump comes to power.

Eduard Hulicius: I think anything can happen really, because in this war we have seen so many totally surprising developments, including it’s begun with also the weather conditions changing. We will have soon winter in the east. So I can expect, for example, freezing of the lines around Kursk. Anything can happen.

Krishnan Guru-Murthy: What do you think Europe should be doing to accelerate the course of the war?

Eduard Hulicius: Well, Europe should continue doing what it does. That means supporting Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression. We should keep focussed on our main task. That means growing our own resilience and also production of defensive armaments and measures. And just keep doing what we do.

Krishnan Guru-Murthy: And do you think it should be preparing to spend a great deal more money on Ukraine, in case Donald Trump cuts aid to that country?

Eduard Hulicius: Already now Europe is the main supporter of Ukraine and we have to be ready to continue because it’s a just thing to do.

Krishnan Guru-Murthy: But there may be tens of millions of dollars withdrawn by America. Do you think that that would be replaced by European partners?

Eduard Hulicius: It would have to prepare for any development. But on the other hand, let’s wait and see. We are not there yet. At this moment, nothing is changing.

Krishnan Guru-Murthy: Can I ask you about the other aspect that Europe’s going to be engaged with quite soon, which is the question of tariffs, which President Trump has also talked a great deal about. Are you preparing for a potential trade war?

Eduard Hulicius: Well, this should be a question put for someone in Brussels because on the trade policy, it is a European Union prerogative. And there I understand that many preparations were done, that the people responsible in the DG for trade are ready. And we have the advantage that we already had discussions with President Trump during his first mandate a few years ago when there were discussions, there were slots set. But then in the end what transpired was something a bit different. And I hope that the same will be in this case.

Krishnan Guru-Murthy: How do you in the European Union regard Britain then, in terms of this particular dynamic? Would you expect Britain to be on the side of Europe or on the side of America?

Eduard Hulicius: On the tariffs issue, to be sure, I’m not entirely certain where President Trump puts the imports from Britain. If it’s part of the criticism of unlimited imports from Europe and he considers Britain as well, then I think Britain will be interested to be on the side of the European Union. Or if there are any other dimensions of this, I’m really not aware. But of course having Britain in the European Union now would be really very useful for both sides.

Krishnan Guru-Murthy: Right. But the question I suppose that worries some people is that if Britain were to get a preferential deal, a trade deal with America, might Europe impose tariffs on Britain?

Eduard Hulicius: I would say this is one of the very, very sensitive topics where we would have to see when we are there.

Krishnan Guru-Murthy: That’s not a ‘no’.

Eduard Hulicius: You know, how much difficulties and efforts it gives or it gave – to create the economic and trade relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union. And having this extra spice added to this dish would be, of course, well, challenging.