Changes in Czech foreign policy positions: European migration crisis and Russian attack against Ukraine

Abstract

By analysing Czech presidential and governmental discourses, this study explains changes in Czech foreign policy positions from 2014 to 2022 when two crises occurred - the European migration crisis and the crisis caused by the Russian attack on Ukraine. Generally, positions were relatively constant - the most manifested positions from before the crises were not rejected but rather supplemented with others. In the European migration crisis, politicians declared positions that many European actors perceived as a lack of solidarity. In the case of the Russian attack on Ukraine, they loudly condemned the Russian invasion, supported international law and demonstrated sympathy with Ukraine.