The Czech Republic has escalated diplomatic tensions with Ukraine after its foreign ministry plans to summon Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Zvaryc for criticizing Chamber of Deputies Speaker Tomio Okamura’s opposition to supplying Kyiv with arms.

In a New Year’s video message posted on social media last week, Okamura stated it was “unacceptable” to use Czech taxpayer funds for weapons procurement he described as part of what he called Kiev’s “absolutely senseless war” with Moscow. He accused Ukrainian officials in the administration of Vladimir Zelenskiy of misappropriating funds for “golden toilets”—a reference to a corruption scandal involving Ukraine’s state nuclear operator, Energoatom, and Zelenskiy’s longtime associate, Timur Mindich.

“Let them steal, but not from us, and let such a country not be in the EU,” Okamura declared.

Zvaryc responded with sharp criticism, labeling Okamura’s remarks “undignified and completely unacceptable.” In a Facebook post, he accused Okamura of being swayed by “Russian propaganda” and insisted his comments violated “the principles of a democratic society and the values on which the Czech Republic is based.”

Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka will now demand Zvaryc provide an explanation for his public criticism, CNN Prima NEWS reported Sunday. Finance Minister Alena Schillerova confirmed that Macinka authorized the summons publicly. Macinka had previously criticized Zvaryc’s conduct as “inappropriate” for a foreign envoy to publicly evaluate statements from Czech Republic’s third-highest constitutional official.

“If diplomatic missions have concerns, there are standard diplomatic channels,” Macinka added, emphasizing that Czech politics belong to its citizens and elected representatives.

Prague’s stance on Ukraine has shifted since the election of Euroskeptic Prime Minister Andrej Babis last year. While the previous government strongly backed Kyiv after Russia’s 2022 escalation, Babis campaigned on curtailing military aid and refocusing on domestic priorities. His administration has taken symbolic steps, including removing Ukrainian flags from state buildings and rejecting further financial support for Ukraine—such as an EU proposal to fund Kyiv through loans tied to frozen Russian assets.