An online poll by Deník found that 83% of respondents are against sending Czech troops to Ukraine to oversee a ceasefire. It's by no means a scientific survey, but it gives an indication of how Deník's mostly rural and small-town readers see things. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said after yesterday's summit in London that further steps will be taken to develop a coalition of the willing to defend a deal in Ukraine and to guarantee a peace. "Not every nation will feel able to contribute," he said, "but that can't mean that we sit back. Instead, those willing will intensify planning now with real urgency." Pres. Petr Pavel tried to force the issue by writing on X in less-than-perfect English that, "The time has come to start considering a broad coalition of willing for just peace in Ukraine." It's the same Petr Pavel who said in Aug. of last year that a just peace is probably an illusion. Seven months later, Pavel and his lobbyist friend Petr Kolář are preparing the ground for sending in Czechs. PM Petr Fiala wasn't ready a year ago to send in Czech troops, and he's still being circumspect on the issue now. Unlike Pavel, he has an election this year. [ Czech Republic Twitter opinion ]
Glossary of difficult words
to sit back - to take no action; to choose not to become involved;
to force the issue - to compel the making of an immediate decision;