The meeting reportedly took place early in September 2019 / Photo from Vlasta Juricek via flickr.com

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has invited Czech Ambassador to Ukraine Radek Matula over a recent meeting of Czech President Milos Zeman, known for his pro-Russia stance, with delegates who allegedly represent Zakarpattia's Rusyns seeking autonomy within Ukraine.

"The Czech diplomat denied any calls from the Czech Republic for Rusyns' autonomy in Zakarpattia and reiterated support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine within the internationally recognized borders. The Czech side will prepare official information on this point," a spokesperson for Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said.

Read alsoUkraine's Foreign Ministry summons Hungarian ambassador over Szijjarto's statement in Canada

Видео дня

"The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry will continue to resolutely react to any attempts to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine," the spokesperson said.

As UNIAN reported earlier, Radio Prague's Russian service said earlier that Zeman had met with seven delegates who claim they "represent the interests of Zakarpattia's Rusyns seeking autonomy within Ukraine." He reportedly agreed to mediate between Kyiv and the said ethnic minority seeking the "official recognition of a separate and autonomous status for their territory." Zeman is said to have promised to discuss the issue with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.

The meeting reportedly took place early in September 2019.