Ondřej Kolář
Member of the European Parliament · PPE · CZ
“Madam President, the last European dictator is not ashamed of anything, including imprisoning children. That is a shame. We denounce that, of course. But let's be honest to ourselves – are we doing enough to break him and his regime and help the democratic transition of Belarus?”
“Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, Dayton was a historical achievement. That is without doubt. Anything that ends wars and brings peace is an achievement that should be praised. However, it also delivered a provisional agreement which we have been living with for the past 30 years. Unfortunately, the country is still divided.”
“The presence of our military, and the fact that the High Representative has powers that should belong only to Bosnian politicians and officials, unfortunately gives us the right to think and speak of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a quasi-protectorate, rather than a free and united and functional country.”
“Paní předsedající, vážený pane komisaři, kolegyně, kolegové, já bohužel nevím, kolik z vás ví, jaký to je pocit, když na vás v Rusku vydají zatykač a chtějí vás na pět let posadit za mříže. Když vás na každém kroku hlídá policie, protože čelíte výhrůžkám smrtí.”
“Nepřekvapilo mě, když jsem v České republice čelil takové apologetice vůči Rusku, protože tam máme spoustu lidí, kteří trpí jakýmsi sentimentem vůči sovětské době, přeci jenom jsme postsovětská země a velká část společnosti má zkrátka a dobře na tu dobu bohužel dobré vzpomínky.”
“The instrumentalism of migrants, systematic disinformation campaigns, cyber attacks, sabotage, drone incidents and many more are being used as weapons to destabilise our society and test Europe's unity and resilience.”
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Every one of 24 lines we hold for Ondřej Kolář, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account.
“Madam President, the last European dictator is not ashamed of anything, including imprisoning children. That is a shame. We denounce that, of course. But let's be honest to ourselves – are we doing enough to break him and his regime and help the democratic transition of Belarus? There are European companies actively doing business in Belarus. There are EU members who actively trade with Belarus. How does that comply with our dismissive stance towards this authoritarian regime? How many European politicians have travelled to Belarus and returned with a group of political prisoners whose release they have negotiated? I think and I believe and I hope that we can do more than we are doing now. 3-0449-0000”
“The presence of our military, and the fact that the High Representative has powers that should belong only to Bosnian politicians and officials, unfortunately gives us the right to think and speak of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a quasi-protectorate, rather than a free and united and functional country. I think that it is our duty to help Bosnia and Herzegovina to make the necessary shift from Dayton to Brussels. 4-0030-0000”
“Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, Dayton was a historical achievement. That is without doubt. Anything that ends wars and brings peace is an achievement that should be praised. However, it also delivered a provisional agreement which we have been living with for the past 30 years. Unfortunately, the country is still divided. There are still tensions in society. The constituent peoples still haven't seemed to have found one language that they could speak. The system provides politicians and officials with an alibi: when they fail to deliver something or when they make mistakes, they blame Dayton or the High Representative. The system, as I said, conserved tensions in society and in the country as such.”
“Nepřekvapilo mě, když jsem v České republice čelil takové apologetice vůči Rusku, protože tam máme spoustu lidí, kteří trpí jakýmsi sentimentem vůči sovětské době, přeci jenom jsme postsovětská země a velká část společnosti má zkrátka a dobře na tu dobu bohužel dobré vzpomínky. Překvapilo mě ale, že jsou takoví lidé i tady v Evropském parlamentu a na půdě Evropské unie. Že jsou tady lidé, kteří se nebojí říkat, že bankovky, které dostávají od Rusů, jsou příliš vysoké na to, aby se s nimi dobře a snadno platilo anebo je dobře rozměňovali. Já pro takové lidi nemám pochopení a jediný vzkaz, který pro ně mám, je: Hanba vám! 3-0500-0000”
“Paní předsedající, vážený pane komisaři, kolegyně, kolegové, já bohužel nevím, kolik z vás ví, jaký to je pocit, když na vás v Rusku vydají zatykač a chtějí vás na pět let posadit za mříže. Když vás na každém kroku hlídá policie, protože čelíte výhrůžkám smrtí. Když na vaše sekretářky z obálek, které otvírají, vypadávají patrony nebo bílý prášek. Když chodíte k soudu vypovídat proti lidem, kteří vám mají potřebu sdělit, že jste kolaborant a jako takový byste potřeboval utratit. Přiznám se, že mě to naplňuje takovým zvláštním pocitem zadostiučinění, že dělám svoji práci dobře. Je to proto, že dělám rozhodnutí, která se nelíbí Rusku. Dělám je dlouhodobě a myslím si, že to je správný postup.”
“We must understand that hybrid warfare is not an isolated problem of the so-called eastern flank; it is a problem of the whole Union, and therefore a firm and united European response is absolutely essential. 2-0621-0000”
“The instrumentalism of migrants, systematic disinformation campaigns, cyber attacks, sabotage, drone incidents and many more are being used as weapons to destabilise our society and test Europe's unity and resilience. These attacks are part of a broader pattern of hostile behaviour that exploits our democratic values, our legal framework and our commitment to the rule of law and human rights. Lithuania has responded quite responsibly – by strengthening border protection, countering disinformation and enhancing cyber resilience. Together with other Baltic and Nordic states, honestly, it can be an example to many of us. The EU must now find ways to proactively and boldly answer to these threats.”
“Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, I am very glad that a majority of us no longer reject the mere existence of hybrid threats. I am, though, a bit saddened that it took us quite a long time to realise that these things exist, and that a number of Member States had to be subject to serious hybrid attacks from Russia and Belarus. Today it is Lithuania, a country which hosts a big Belarusian diaspora, including a great number of its exiled political leaders, and this country faces continuous hybrid pressure orchestrated by the Belarusian regime. These attacks are deliberated, coordinated and as such aimed at the whole Union.”
“By 2025, NATO assessed the scale of sabotage threats in Europe as at a record high, characterising Russia's subversive activities as a significant security challenge for the continent. Lately, these attacks have escalated. We have witnessed violations of EU airspace by Russian warplanes and balloons from Belarus, airports in many EU states threatened by drones, the sabotage of the Polish railway, attack drones falling on Romanian ground, and many, many more. All that because we still support Ukraine and because we play a part in the peace negotiations. We must take action. Shoot first – ask later. 3-0272-0000”
“Madam President, when we speak about hybrid warfare, hybrid actions, many people say that they don't exist, that it's some kind of surreal thing. But during the past 20 years, Europe has experienced a series of covert attacks on infrastructure and strategic targets, with a marked increase after 2022. Western authorities have attributed incidents such as arson, assassinations, explosions, acts of vandalism and electronic and cyber interference to Russian military and intelligence services, describing them as part of a broader hybrid campaign against countries supporting Ukraine. Moscow has consistently denied responsibility, attributing the incidents to other actors.”
“What, in your opinion, is our right to judge who is leading the country? And what is our right to intervene into their domestic matters and to decide who is their legitimate president and who is not? 3-0088-0000 Ondřej Kolář (PPE), blue-card answer. – I'm convinced it is our duty to stand up against those who deprive people of their rights, and that is what Alexander Lukashenka is doing. He is stealing the lives of Belarusians from them, and we, as a Union, who believe in human rights, who share certain values, must speak up for such people who are being suppressed by an autocratic regime. 3-0089-0000”
“She was forced to leave her homeland, yet it did not break her. She chose to stand up strong and speak for thousands of people whose lives have been stolen. A brave woman who hasn't bowed to a tyrant, but chose to fight for her family and her country. And for that, she and her companions deserve our absolute support. To conclude, let me ask all of us a question: are we doing enough? Do we have the courage to do even more to help a nation that is being suppressed? I hope we do. We have two great examples: a husband and wife, parents, two freedom fighters, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Siarhei Tsikhanouski. (The speaker agreed to take a blue-card question) 3-0087-0000 Ondřej Dostál (NI), blue-card question. – Honourable colleague, I would like to ask one question. Belarus is not a member country of the European Union.”
“Madam President, dear colleagues, later today we will be joined by the legitimate president of Belarus, together with her husband, a political prisoner, five years of whose life were stolen because he dared to oppose an autocrat. I was thinking of speaking about the necessity to protect democracy and human rights, freedom in all its forms, about the necessity to help those who do not enjoy living in a free country where the people decide on who will govern, not the governors. But let me offer you a different view. We will not only be joined by the legitimate Belarusian president, but also by a wife and a mother, whose family was torn apart by a brutal and cynical thief of human lives. She was deprived of living her life with her beloved husband, their children were deprived of enjoying happy moments with their father.”
“And honestly, I don't see a single reason why the European taxpayer should carry this load rather than the one who is responsible for the war. After years of endless reports of attacks on civilians and atrocities committed by the Russian army, we can no longer protect the assets of a criminal regime. So, dear Belgian colleagues, I urge you: do not protect Russia's attack assets. Protect Ukraine! (The President cut off the speaker) 2-0496-0000”
“Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, I think that without exaggeration it can be said that the fate of Ukraine's defence capabilities and reconstruction possibilities now lies in Belgian hands. We are running out of cash, and the only way to effectively continue helping Ukraine is to use frozen Russian assets – not just the interest, but the assets themselves. Speaking of military aid, 60 % of all costs are now covered by five members of the so-called 'coalition of the willing': Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Norway. With the withdrawal of US financial participation, Europe must look for new funds if we do not want the aid to collapse next year. Using this Russian money would mean securing funding for this purpose not only for 2026, but also for 2027.”
“I am very grateful for how the EU denounces totalitarian regimes and dictators, but that is not enough. I also want to see serious action which will result in these prisoners being brought back home, and not allowing the gangster Maduro to further blackmail us. 2-0546-0000 Procedura "catch-the-eye" 2-0547-0000”
“Madam President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, I am very well aware of the fact that we are discussing our approach toward the whole region, but I would like to focus on, or point out, one particular country and one overlooked fact. The country is Venezuela and the fact is that there are 41 EU citizens from 12 EU Member States who have now, for more than a year, been imprisoned by Maduro's regime. One of them is a Czech citizen, Jan Darmovzal. I am in contact with his parents, who are asking me every week what the EU has done to help get their son back home. Unfortunately, all I can answer to them is that I don't know. I've read letters that they have received from the Commission and from the EEAS – letters full of comforting words and, unfortunately, empty phrases. They don't need that. They need action.”
“Mr President, dear colleagues, I would like to draw your attention to a sad fact that there are a number of EU citizens being jailed in Venezuela. Some of them have been held captive for more than a year now, and their families have turned to the EU institutions for help. But – honestly, to my shock – they have received letters full of empty phrases. These people do not need indefinite phrases. They need action. They need serious action. The action that has been seen from the side of the United States, who have managed to bring all the hostages back home. I would like to turn to all of you. Please, let's put some pressure on the Commission. Let's put some pressure on the external action of the EU to maximise our efforts to bring EU citizens back home.”
“I think that it's up to the Israelis to choose between a prime minister who has gone a bit wild, I would say, and someone who would have the approach of his predecessors, who were much more successful in the solving or the solution of this very complex and difficult question. 2-0529-0000”
“S’agissant du Hamas, je ne vous entends pas condamner les alliances et le rapprochement qu’il y a avec le régime de Netanyahou – le ministre de Netanyahou Bezalel Smotrich a précisément dit que le Hamas était un atout et que l’Autorité palestinienne, qui a embrassé la voie diplomatique, était un fardeau. Donc, si vous êtes ici pour dénoncer le Hamas, dénoncez donc tous ceux qui le nourrissent, qui l’alimentent, pour nuire au projet palestinien, qui est un projet de libération et d’indépendance. 2-0528-0000 Ondřej Kolář (PPE), blue-card answer. – I don't agree with you that Israel would be feeding Hamas and Israel is not Benjamin Netanyahu. I never said that.”
“There is nothing to discuss. (The speaker agreed to take a blue-card question) 2-0527-0000 Rima Hassan (The Left), question «carton bleu». – Je dois dire que vos interventions sont un peu à la hauteur de votre médiocrité politique sur ce sujet. Les questions que vous soulevez sont en réalité déjà traitées par des juridictions internationales. Elles sont déjà traitées par des centaines de résolutions des Nations unies. La colonisation, l’occupation illégale, l’appartheid, le génocide: tout cela est documenté par tout ce que vous prétendez défendre ici, à savoir l’ordre international.”
“Madam President, dear High Commissioner, dear colleagues, I think that we tend to have this debate or take it from the bad end. And, you know, we sometimes tend to discuss who is the one to be blamed, who is the one behind this conflict. And many people say it's Israel. Israel who is stealing land from the Palestinians, who is preventing them from enjoying their freedoms and all that. I think the one who is to blame is Hamas, not Israel. Hamas started the war. Hamas was the one. Or they were the ones who attacked on 7 October. They are the ones who are hiding behind civilians. They are the ones who are using schools and hospitals as shelters for their fighters. They are the ones who are stealing humanitarian aid from the people who need it. They are the ones who are still keeping Israeli hostages in Palestinian, in Gazan tunnels.”
“The world is changing. We have a president of the United States who denies what the United States have been building for the last 80 years. He's stepping out from many, many things that we have achieved together, and the US is actually becoming an unreliable and unpredictable partner, and we must be ready for that. I think that it's time for Europe now to stand up and be the one who has the duty and knows that he has the duty to defend all the freedoms that we are talking about, and for that we must be proactive, determined and courageous. 2-0442-0000”
“Mr President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, I can see that the debate about freedom of speech and all the freedoms that we value and cherish can be pretty tough. I would say that the Radio Free Europe is a matter of the heart for people from Central and Eastern Europe and from the Balkans as well, because it served as a window into the free world for the people of countries that were under communist regimes and under communist and totalitarian suppression. And it serves as such a tool for us even today, not into the countries which are in Europe, but which are outside of Europe. Some of them are geographically in Europe, some of them are more distant. For me, actually, this debate is not only about Radio Free Europe and how it's going to be financed. It's about our approach and relationship with the United States as such.”