So, Putin Versteher is a pejorative meaning the one that understands Putin in German, and it was used in the German speaking milieu to label people, who were apologetic of Russia. It implies that understanding Russian interests is something the commentariat is not interested in. But I come to notice that every Russophobe understands Putin. A Russophobe knows what will make Putin happy, and what will make Putin sad.
I was reminded of this Putin understanding phenomenon when reading an interview with Libor Vondráček. Libor is a young lawyer, who leads the Party of Free Citizens, which in recent elections hooked up with Tomio Okamura, and they had their ballot in my region. Libor is a native of a town near by.

How would you comment Tomi Okamura’s lowering of the Ukrainian flag? He apparently made the rulers of the Kremlin Happy.
A Czech politician should do things that are good for the Czech citizen and stop philosophizing on what will or will not make someone happy abroad. This is not a good measure on how to do things. We need to do things that are right for the Czech Republic, so that we become good custodians of the Czech Republic long term. And in my opinion the best for the Czech Republic would be if on public buildings there hangs only the Czech flag.

But doesn’t the security of our country depend on what occurs in the head of the Russian president?
I don’t think taking down the Ukrainian flag can somehow influence our security. It is something that we decide, it is a problem in our heads. We are not the center of the World according to which others are happy or sad. We need to the right things for our citizens and justify them to our citizens.

Did you find that your critics have problem coping with your alliance with SPD, Trikolóra and PRO, because the latter are more critical of Ukraine than Russia?
Yes, the criticism regarding Russia was heard often. I have outright said that Russia is committing aggression against Ukraine and everything that is happening there is Russia’s responsibility. People however have been very emotionally committed to this, it was the main topic for them. I am interested in other topics.

Are you at least happy when you see how many people supporting and helping Ukraine in Czechia? Aren’t you proud out our country when you see Ukrainians praise the ammunition initiative, which helps Ukrainians defend themselves from Russia?
It is amazing that despite high taxes that we have here in Czechia, many people find something to put away and help other people. But it is clear that if I direct the money intended to help victims of a tornado in Czechia, there is a chance things will be built but in Ukraine, if a house gets bombed and a new one is built, it is not certain a bomb will not land on it again.
Anyway guys, do you understand Putin? Do you think about what makes him happy or sad?











