President of the Czech Republic Milos Zeman, re-elected for a second term last weekend, maintains close contacts with the leadership of the Rusyn organization, which seeks the recognition of Rusyns in Ukraine and the autonomy of Transcarpathia. This is on Thursday, February 1, writes the Czech edition of Aktualne. According to the publication, Vasily Djugan and Mikhail Tyascovo, who are members of the leadership of the World Council of Subcarpathian Ruthenians, were in the election headquarters of the Czech president on Saturday, January 27. It is noted that they have been in contact with Zeman for many years. Rusyns take part in official events organized by the office of the head of the Czech Republic, and in 2017 even accompanied Zeman during his working trip to Russia. "Although Djugan and Tyasco live for a long time in the Czech Republic, their program is the recognition of the Rusyn people in Ukraine and the autonomy of the Transcarpathian region, in the past - Podkarpackie Rus' as part of Czechoslovakia. They also oppose the Ukrainian government, which is often and clearly expressed in social networks, "writes the publication. It is reported that the Kyiv authorities consider the World Council of Subcarpathian Rusyns "an anti-Ukrainian organization that maintains contacts with Russia". "Some representatives of this organization are known for close contacts with the Russian Federation and support its aggression against Ukraine. We treat their anti-Ukrainian activities negatively, "the Ukrainian ambassador to the Czech Republic, Yevgeny Perebiynis. According to Tysko, the head of the Czech Republic and the leader of local far-right Tomio Okamura support the demands of Rusyns. "The president democratically said that he does not see anything wrong with the fact that Rusyns can be recognized, if they want, in all neighboring states, and also in Russia, and that he sees no reason why Ukraine should not recognize the Ruthenian people," - said Tysko. Meanwhile, the press secretary of the head of state Jiri Ovcacek said that there are no personal relations between Zeman and Djugan and Tiasca. He also rejected the allegations that Zeman allegedly supports the demand of the World Council of Subcarpathian Ruthenians about autonomy within Ukraine.

Recall that in October last year, speaking at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Zeman called on Kiev and the West to take a sober look at the situation and recognize Russia's sovereignty over the Crimea "a matter decided".

In his opinion, the issue between the Nezalezhnaya and the Russian Federation can be solved "either in financial form or by oil and gas". Moscow firmly responds that the topic of belonging to the peninsula is closed.