Moscow emerged from the shadows of the Czech Republic’s media landscape in March 2015, establishing a political movement (or even a party) known as “Friends of Russia in the Czech Republic.” An informal structure, specifically a Facebook group, served as the foundation for this movement. During an interview with the Czech representative office of the Russian state media agency “Sputnik,” Jiří Vyvadil, a renowned lawyer and politician in the Czech Republic, announced the founding of a new political entity. Vyvadil has previously served as a member of the Czech Parliament, a senator, deputy minister of justice of the Czech Republic from 2005 to 2006, and a judge of the Supreme Administrative Court during the same period.
According to Vyvadil, the extension of sanctions against Russia was a catalyst for the transformation of the informal organisation into a political one. The movement’s mission is to establish a “critical alternative” to the political parties.
In an effort to elucidate his actions, Jiri declared, “Yes, I am a citizen of the European Union, and my country is a member of NATO.” However, I am aware of the fact that the West, and particularly the United States, has been instigating one military conflict after another since 1989. Decades of the “Cold War” weakened your country in the past, rendering it unable to withstand this situation. However, it has reemerged as a potent stabilising force and is capable of restraining the United States when necessary. I am confident that international relations must be balanced for the good of all humanity, there must be balance in international relations. A world that is unipolar is on the brink of catastrophe. Consequently, I resolved to establish the “Friends of Russia” movement. The news surprised some individuals, while others actively supported me. During this period, Putin also discussed the necessity of a “bipolar world,” positioning himself as a successor to the role that the USSR once held, following Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian Crimea.
“The frivolous drift towards the West has led us into a trap.” “We have become accomplices in the crimes in Iraq, Libya, and Syria, and it is precisely these conflicts that are the reason for the millions of migrants currently affecting Europe,” Vyvadil additionally stated.
Marine Le Pen, the leader of the National Rally of France, former Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, and American Republican politician Donald Trump were identified as world politicians who were personally close to him, according to Vyvadil. His primary political thesis is the importance of combating “the dominance of the United States in the world.” In accordance with the Kremlin’s playbook, which includes narratives that have permeated the masses as “an alternative perspective” and “freedom of speech,” Vyvadil claims that only the current president of Russia, in collaboration with China or India, may overcome “American hegemony.”
Subsequently, Vyvadil, the leader of the Kremlin project and the virtual community “Friends of Russia in the Czech Republic,” made the decision to adopt the role of an official from the Russian Foreign Ministry and align himself with Putin. Putin is currently attempting to justify and fully legalise the annexation of foreign territory and the initiation of a “hybrid” war in Ukraine, which was the first stage of the invasion that began in 2022. “For any sensible politician, it is quite clear that Moscow in this situation acted not as an aggressor but as a party defending its national interests,” according to the Czech politician. “That’s true, both from the perspective of international law and from the standpoint of basic common sense.”
By the way, the purpose of authorising Putin’s murderous money is to finance his movement, his party, or simply to engage in subversive political activities. According to him, the Czech Republic has the potential to serve as a “bridge between the East and the West.” Jirji Vyvadil intended to address the citizens of Russia (!) rather than the Czech Republic. This action would enable the transfer of “legalised donations from Russian citizens,” which are in reality state funds from the Russian Federation’s budget or state-owned enterprises, to a Kremlin emissary operating in the Czech political arena.
“Friends of Russia” subsequently submitted a petition to the Czech Republic’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, voicing their disapproval of statements made by certain officials who advocated for the stationing of NATO troops on Czech territory, in accordance with Russian directives and in the interests of the Russian Federation.
This is the precise method by which Moscow chooses its agents, sponsors them, assists in project promotion, and emphasises their activities through propaganda channels abroad, the so-called “state media of the Russian Federation.”
And finally, where are the “friends of Russia” and Irji Vyvadal now? The Kremlin’s decision to terminate project funding has resulted in the political refuse dump.
