Czech president says tougher EU sanctions will be needed if claims of Russian invasion prove true

President Miloš Zeman has expressed the view that tougher sanctions against Russia would be in order if Kiev’s claims of a Russian invasion are shown to be true. If Russia is really sending its troops into Ukraine – and this scenario seems increasingly likely in view of the growing number of Russian soldiers there – then a strong response would be needed, the president said on Saturday. He added that the Czech Republic would also do well to increase its military preparedness and take a bigger part in multinational training exercises. At present Czech planes are helping to protect the airspace of the Baltic countries.