Czech hockey legend criticizes Trump’s approach to Ukraine
A veteran athlete turns toward activism
A prominent Czech figure, former NHL goaltender Dominik Hasek, has sharpened his public criticism of the United States’ current posture toward the war in Ukraine. His comments, widely circulated in Czech media, came amid renewed debate over alleged indirect discussions between representatives of Donald Trump and the Kremlin.
At a demonstration outside the United States Embassy in Prague on Tuesday, Hasek addressed a small crowd of supporters holding Ukrainian flags. According to the Czech public broadcaster ČT24, he argued that Washington was distancing itself from a nation fighting for its survival.
“Podczas gdy Ukraińcy giną, bohatersko broniąc swojego kraju i nie tylko swojego kraju, ale całej Europy, Ameryka odwróciła się od nich całkowicie i wręcz przeciwnie, współpracuje z największym przestępcą, Putinem,” he told those gathered.
Hasek’s place in Czech public debate
Hasek has been one of the most visible public voices in the Czech Republic calling for continued European and American support for Ukraine. Since Russia’s full scale invasion in 2022, he has used interviews, social media and public events to press for stronger sanctions, more military cooperation and closer alignment with NATO’s long term security goals.
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His advocacy resonates widely, in part because he remains one of the country’s most celebrated athletes. Czech commentators note that his outspoken statements regularly draw reactions from both pro Western and Russia neutral segments of society, particularly during periods of heightened political tension.
Reports of back channel diplomacy
His latest remarks follow reporting from several Prague based outlets, including Hospodářské noviny, which described an informal diplomatic exchange involving Steve Witkoff, an envoy connected with Trump, and Yuri Ushakov, a senior adviser to Vladimir Putin.
According to these accounts, the conversation appeared to explore how Russia might present potential settlement ideas in a way that would seem more acceptable to Washington. Diplomats familiar with Central European security concerns have told local reporters that any agreement allowing Russia to retain Ukrainian territory could undermine stability across the region and embolden further aggression.
Online reactions and European concerns
In a message posted on X, Hasek reacted strongly.
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“Nie jest to żadną niespodzianką. To tylko potwierdzenie tego, o czym wie cały świat. Trump i jego administracja współpracują z Rosją, aby uzyskać terytorium Ukrainy i inne korzyści. Trump jest nie tylko zdrajcą, ale także przestępcą. Dotyczy to również wielu jego współpracowników,” he wrote.
He also commented on a video by German analyst Jessica Berlin, who urged European leaders to stop relying on Trump’s stance when shaping their own responses to Vladimir Putin. Hasek added, “Służalcze zachowanie europejskich polityków wobec zdrajcy i przestępcy, jakim jest obecny prezydent Stanów Zjednoczonych, jest haniebne i przynosi Europie tylko nowe problemy.”
Looking back at America
The former goaltender played nearly two decades in North America, becoming one of the NHL’s most decorated players and winning an Olympic gold medal for the Czech Republic in Nagano.
Speaking to reporters after the Prague protest, he reflected on how the United States has changed since his time living there.
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“Mieszkałem i grałem w hokeja w Ameryce przez 18 lat, od lat 90., do 2008 roku. To, jak się ten kraj zmienił, jest jednym z moich największych rozczarowań w życiu. To, co robią dzisiaj jej przywódcy, nie wyobrażałem sobie czegoś takiego,” he said.
Broader political backdrop
Hasek’s comments come as the Czech government, under President Petr Pavel and Prime Minister Petr Fiala, continues to maintain strong support for Ukraine. Analysts in Prague note that, while Hasek is not aligned with any political party, his sharp criticism of Trump and Russia often mirrors concerns expressed by Czech diplomats about the direction of U.S. foreign policy.
European officials have warned that any shift in Washington’s stance could reshape security commitments across NATO, especially for countries in Central and Eastern Europe that see the war as directly tied to their own safety.
Sources, ČT24, Hospodářské noviny, X posts, local Prague reporting.
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