“I’m Struck by How Massively Ukrainians Bring the Russian Language With Them to Czechia” — A Conversation With Rostislav Prokopyuk

“It was difficult to officially register an organization with the word ‘Ukrainian’ in its name”

— Mr. Rostislav, you lead the Ukrainian Institute in Prague. How did this organization come into being?

— Official and civic Ukrainian institutions in Czechia have existed since after the First World War. From 1921, the Ukrainian Free University operated in Prague, later relocating to Munich after the Second World War, where it remains based to this day.

I have been living and working in Czechia for 34 years now. My profession is psychology, primarily focused on combating addictions. Among my contacts are many prominent and influential Czech figures, politicians, and businesspeople. Many of them told me repeatedly to reach out for help on matters related to Ukraine — they would support me. I first sought such help in 2014, and we organized a large charity concert in support of those wounded on the Maidan in Kyiv. From that event, my project “Forum of Cultures” was born, which for many years supported Ukraine and Ukrainians.

With the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the number of events in support of Ukrainian valor multiplied several times over. I realized that I alone as an organizer could no longer compete for audience attention. Moreover, my health was starting to send signals…

— It was on that wave that you founded the institute in 2024, on a symbolic date — February 24…

— Yes, I deliberately chose that date — with the message “We keep fighting!” The institute was not established without a struggle — it was difficult to officially register an organization with the word “Ukrainian” in its name. Many people openly voiced their objections… For me, this was a matter of principle. “Ukrainian” — because we exist, we are here, and we are fighting for our lives. And I managed to defend this! The Ukrainian Institute in Prague is officially registered under Czech law.

If you do something — people notice. The Pylyp Orlyk Foundation noticed us. We met, and back in 2025, we signed a memorandum of cooperation. We launched our joint activity with a project honoring the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Museum of the Ukrainian Liberation Struggle: this included an exhibition, a conference, and seminars. As part of the anniversary events, the mentoring program for Ukrainian teachers in emigration “Koreni ta Kryla” (Roots and Wings) was launched. The support of such a reliable partner as the Foundation is enormously important. The previous Czech government supported us. Unfortunately, the situation has now changed…

“Czechia understands that thanks to Ukraine, it can live in Europe under a peaceful sky”

— What other projects has the Institute managed to implement?

— Together with the Pylyp Orlyk Foundation, we have organized dozens of initiatives that have become a notable voice for Ukraine in Europe. I would mention in particular the deeply moving exhibition “Artifacts of War”, which, thanks to its location at one of Prague’s world-famous tourist sites — the Vrtba Garden, was seen by thousands upon thousands of foreign visitors and Prague residents.

Together with the French Cultural Center, we presented the documentary film by Oleksandr Zinchenko “What If Chornovil: A Better Scenario for Ukraine?” In the autumn, the NGO “Ruta” team organized Ukrainian Cinema Week in Prague and Ukrainian Cinema Days in Brno. The festival opened with the film by Oscar laureate Mstyslav Chernov “2000 Meters to Andriivka.” In total, they brought and subtitled another 10 of the newest feature films.

There were traditional dialogues with prominent Ukrainians, numerous exhibitions (in Czechia and Slovakia), discussion forums with Czechs titled “Ukraine as a Task” at the Václav Havel Library. The most recent such forum took place in April with Czech speakers. It was precisely my partners, the “Orlyky,” who proposed this format for strengthening Czech “Ukrainian studies”: to have Czechs tell Czechs about Ukraine. A wonderful idea!

— What were the key points raised at this forum — how do Czechs see Ukraine in the spring of 2026?

— Is there fatigue or indifference among Czechs regarding aid to Ukraine? Are they doing their maximum? My discussion forum “Ukraine as a Task” on April 1 featured two speakers — Senator David Smoljak and volunteer Kateřina Krejčová. They are a small part of the Czech community that continues to help us. I want to tell stories about such people who care about the fate of Ukraine, who through their daily actions bring our Victory closer. Such discussions provide an opportunity to present Ukraine as Europe’s shield. And Czechia understands that thanks to Ukraine, it can live in Europe under a peaceful sky.

“In the last elections in Czechia, populism won — fueled by Russian investment in hybrid warfare”

— Since 2022, Czechia at the state level has been ambiguous in its support for Ukraine. On one hand — the famous “Czech Initiative” by President Petr Pavel to purchase millions of artillery shells for Ukraine’s Defense Forces. On the other — the pro-Russian rhetoric of part of the new government, against which massive protests recently took place in Prague…

— The shift in how Czechs perceive Ukraine came with the new government. Ukrainian flags are being removed from government buildings in Czechia — flags that were a symbol of support for a country at war. Sanctions against Russians are being lifted, doors are being opened to Russians in Czechia and, consequently, in Europe… The changes have also affected many refugees, mothers with children. Russian narratives — which the new government systematically promoted in its programs — have taken hold: “Our children will not go fight for Ukraine.”

Populism has won — haunting Europe like a specter, fueled by Russian investment in hybrid warfare. Its supporters mindlessly spread these narratives. We aptly recalled at the forum [former Czechoslovak President Tomáš] Masaryk: when someone began spouting nonsense in his presence, he would order them to bring the Otto’s Encyclopaedia to verify the facts. Today the times are far more complex, because scientific dictionaries have been replaced by artificial intelligence or brainwashed minds. It is very important for people to learn to filter and verify information. I also see this as my mission when I invite experts to discussions.

Incidentally, David Smoljak proposed that the Senate adopt a project to combat disinformation — the “European Shield of Democracy.”

— How does Russian propaganda operate in Czechia at the everyday level? From neighboring Poland, for instance, information periodically emerges about the unpleasant consequences of hybrid warfare, a deterioration in relations between Ukrainians and Poles.

— At the everyday level, Czechs consistently support Ukrainians. They communicate, work together, and Ukrainians pay taxes into the Czech treasury. It is known that the largest Russian bot farm was uncovered near Prague. But propagandists have not sown any total rift between Czechs and Ukrainians. Governments change, but this does not affect public sentiment. This was confirmed by the massive rally in Prague on March 21 against the policies of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and in support of Ukraine. Around 250,000 people took part in this protest.

It is good that President Petr Pavel has the support of the majority of the population, and there is a strong chance he will be elected for a second term.

“Ukrainians have found their place in Czech medicine”

— Officially, as of summer 2025, over 581,000 Ukrainians were legally residing in Czechia. That is more than 53% of all foreigners in the country. About 400,000 have temporary protection status due to the war: the majority are women (57%) and children (24%). Where have Ukrainians found their place in Czechia?

— The biggest positive is that Ukrainians have found their place in Czech medicine. Yes, confirming licenses is not easy, but in all Czech hospitals there are now many nurses and doctors from Ukraine. A significant number of our people work in geriatric centers and other social services. As for men, most work in construction. Ukrainians can also be found in the service sector — primarily in restaurants and cafés. Many are employed in cleaning services.

When I speak with fellow Ukrainians, I often encounter situations where people work here below the status and profession they held in Ukraine… Frequently, Ukrainians find work through employment agencies — also run by Ukrainians — who sometimes fail to fulfill their obligations, deceive workers, underpay, and do not sign the necessary contracts… The new government seems to be planning to seriously tackle the legalization of such agencies on the labor market. And this is almost the only positive thing about it.

— Has anything related to Ukrainians in Czechia personally struck you?

— I’m struck by the trend — how massively Ukrainians bring with them to Czechia the “russkiy mir” — the Russian language. They go to social centers for help as war refugees and speak Russian… How are the workers at these centers supposed to understand who they are providing assistance to — Ukrainians or Russians? In Czechia there are generally few Russians, but the Russian language can be heard on the streets constantly. It’s clear who is speaking it… How many Mariupols and Buchas must there still be before Ukrainians understand that language matters? And the behavior of Ukrainians abroad is often far from ideal. And because of this, an impression can form about all Ukrainians.

On the positive side, what strikes me is our capacity for self-organization. Numerous civic organizations have emerged and are operating, founded by those who fled the full-scale invasion. These are not only fundraising initiatives for the Ukrainian military, but also commemorations, actions promoting Ukrainian culture, and most importantly — educational centers that keep our children in the Ukrainian context. This is essential, because it is very easy for Ukrainians to assimilate in Czechia.

“Such history lessons are not forgotten”

— Another important initiative supported by the Pylyp Orlyk Foundation is a mentoring program for history teachers. Czechia is one of the European countries that is actively implementing this project in the education of Ukrainian children, so that while living abroad, they do not forget their roots.

— In March of this year, the fourth meeting within the mentoring program “Koreni ta Kryla: History That Unites” (Roots and Wings: History That Unites) took place in Prague. This is an extraordinarily important initiative because it concerns Ukrainian children. In just one district of the capital — Prague 5 — there are currently 600 children from Ukraine studying. And Prague has 22 districts! Children adapt differently: it depends on teachers, the school, and parents. Ukrainian Saturday and Sunday schools also operate in Czechia.

Natalia Omelchuk’s methodology “Memories in Boxes” is a wonder! More and more teachers working with Ukrainian students in Czechia are joining this program. The initiative was supported by the Ambassador of Ukraine to the Czech Republic, Vasyl Zvarych. The Pylyp Orlyk Foundation constantly brings us dozens of those boxes, each time with new materials — the kind we would never find here. This methodology is exactly what we were missing. It is new, fascinating, and captivating! I have seen with my own eyes how the eyes of both children and teachers light up when they pull out a military patch or some museum artifact from those educational memory boxes.

Such history lessons are not forgotten and reconnect children who have found themselves abroad with their Ukrainian roots. It is also important that this and other initiatives, through the efforts of the Ukrainian Institute in Prague and with the support of the Pylyp Orlyk Foundation, extend to dozens of schools across all of Czechia, not just in Prague.

— How has the Czech education system overall coped with teaching Ukrainian children?

— At every meeting in educational circles I attend, I always raise the same point: Czechs are very interested in our students and in their integration into Czech society. And our children, it must be acknowledged, have no problems with this. Czechia literally fights for every Ukrainian child. After all, these children have learned to survive, they strive to study, they want to achieve something in life, they have the motivation to stay in Europe and continue their education at universities. Czech children, unlike Ukrainian ones, are not as motivated, conscious, or active.

— Is there any visible care for Ukrainian children from the Ukrainian state in Czechia?

— Practically none. Our children are mostly looked after by private initiatives. For example, the folk studio “Palyanytsya” operates, teaching Ukrainian carols and songs and organizing concerts. There is the “Rodyna” choir and other organizations that work to preserve Ukrainian identity in Czechia. The only state program that existed was “Book Shelf.” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Czechia, and with him First Lady Olena Zelenska. She brought several Ukrainian books to the Slavonic Library. But it later turned out that such books were already in this library and had been there for quite some time.

“The main problem of our people? Alcohol!”

— The media call you a “psychologist to personalities” and a “sweeper of addictions.” Your patients are prominent figures of Czechia and Slovakia. You are even listed in the Czech Book of Records for the number of people you have helped overcome addictions. As a practicing psychologist, do you have Ukrainian clients, especially among the newcomers? And what issues do they primarily come to you with?

— Yes, quite a few. The main problem of our people who come to me for professional help is alcohol addiction. Mothers, sisters beg me: “Save them!” I begin to investigate why this is happening. The wife is there, he is here. He seeks solace in the bottle. And then there is loneliness, unresolved problems, a feeling of unfulfillment or loss of self, worry for those who stayed in Ukraine…

— Lastly — about your creative work. What are you working on now?

— The book “Ty Ye” (You Are) is very special to me. And I am very grateful that it was published in Lviv thanks to the Pylyp Orlyk Foundation. I owe the idea to Yuriy Vynnychuk. He was translating my Czech book into Ukrainian and laughed: “Aren’t you ashamed that you’re Ukrainian and I’m translating you into Ukrainian?” Now I can boldly tell Yuriy that I’m not ashamed.

I had an interesting experience with the premieres of my performance “Coffee Is for the Living” in Ukraine — in Lviv, Khmelnytskyi, Ivano-Frankivsk… At each show, the music was different, and I was different. I was criticized that the performance is triggering, that why am I doing this. For two reasons — for my catharsis and yours, for tears and smiles. On April 29, this performance will be shown in Vienna, and in June — in Krakow. I am planning to bring it to Ukraine once again.

The interview was published as part of an information partnership with the Pylyp Orlyk Foundation. Original on NV.