"I am pleased to welcome the President of the Czech Republic Peter Pavel to Ukraine. We met in the city of Odesa, which is terrorized by Russia every night. During our meeting, the Russian Federation launched three groups of Shahed (attack drones) on the city. The whole civilized world should see Russia's crimes against Ukraine," he wrote.
Kuleba and Pavel discussed shipping safety, Ukraine's recovery, and community development.
The Czech Republic has been a steadfast supporter of Ukraine, "providing $900 million in assistance over the past three years - from humanitarian aid to military equipment. In particular, Ukraine's Neptune anti-ship missile system, based on Czech Tatra vehicles, has made a great contribution to our maritime security".
While Russia has fired more than 450 missiles at Ukraine's port infrastructure since the summer of 2023, Ukraine today remains the guarantor of global food security.
Prague has also taken on the role of patron in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, helping to renovate water treatment plants, provide generators, medical equipment, evacuation buses, and rebuild schools and hospitals.
In Kyiv Oblast, the Czech Republic is implementing a project to modernize the regional children's hospital for more than EUR 10 million ($10.1 million), as well as dozens of projects in Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Kherson and Lviv oblasts.
"We also agreed to expand humanitarian assistance to the affected regions, including the provision of temporary housing for those who have lost their homes and support for medical facilities. Together with the heads of the Odesa, Mykolaiv and Kherson regional administrations, we discussed further direct support for the oblasts," Kuleba said.
Regional Governor Oleh Kiper stressed the importance of Western leaders visits to Ukraine as a signal of support in its fight against Russian aggression.
“It is significant that it was during our meeting that the enemy once again massively attacked Odesa Oblast. This is another reminder to the whole world: the war is on and Ukraine continues to fight,” he said, posting photos from the meeting with Pavel.
Overnight Russian forces launched 214 drones at Ukraine, including Odesa, injuring three teenagers and setting fire to numerous civilian buildings. A high-rise apartment building was damaged. There are power outages in the Prymorsky, Peresypsky and Kyivsky districts of the city.
Russian forces have intensified their airstrikes on densely populated areas of the Ukrainian cities in recent days. On March 20, nearly 200 drones were launched against civilian, residential and critical infrastructure across Ukraine.