Czech President Petr Pavel met with a Ukrainian girl, Polina, who was humiliated by classmates in a Czech school.
He stressed that he condemns bullying in schools in general, but in relation to a refugee from Ukraine, who had to leave her country and friends, he considers such actions “shameful.” Pavel said that he appreciates the reaction of the school and parents, as well as the fact that the girl was apologised, "but the scars on the soul will remain."
During a school trip, Polina recorded on her phone how her classmates began to pester her. They asked her if she was Russian. After the girl replied that she was Ukrainian, they spat in her face, saying that "Russia is better and stronger." The case received international resonance and provoked a reaction from the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.
On May 31, the Czech Republic announced the abolition of privileges for travel in Prague public transport for Ukrainian refugees. They were valid until the end of June 2023, and the Prague Integrated Transport System is not going to extend this period.