Ethnic Czechs in Ukraine ask President Zeman for help with repatriation

Over 70 families of ethnic Czechs in Ukraine have asked President Miloš Zeman for assistance with repatriation to the Czech Republic, the news agency ČTK reported. In total, some 250 people from western and eastern Ukraine as well as from Crimea would like to move to the country where their ancestors came from over a century ago. Ukrainian Czechs have approached the Czech authorities with similar requests in the past but the Foreign Ministry said they could use existing channels to repatriate. However, President Zeman last month backed their petitions. He will address their latest plea next week, a spokesman for the president said.