© Reuters / David W Cerny
"I'm afraid, after this statement the doors of the Prague Castle are closed for Ambassador Schapiro," Zeman told Parlamentni Listy webportal on Saturday. Prague Castle is the president's official residence and office.
Earlier, the US ambassador to the Czech Republic, Andrew Schapiro, criticized Zeman's decision to go to Russia for Victory Day celebrations in May. He called the plans "short-sighted", as it would "be awkward" if the Czech president was the only statesman from an EU country on Red Square.
"I cannot imagine a Czech ambassador in Washington giving advice to the US president on where he should travel," Zeman said. "I will not let any ambassador interfere with the program of my foreign trips."
© AFP Photo/Patrick KovarikCzech President Milos Zeman
"It is essential to maintain and develop relations with Russia not only on a commercial basis, but also, for instance, based on the strategic partnership in the fight against international terrorism," he said.
Previously, Zeman said that his visit to Russia would be a "sign of gratitude for not having to speak German in this country." He also intended to pay tribute to the memory of 150,000 Soviet soldiers who died liberating Czechoslovakia.
6 months ago I presented my credentials at the Castle. Thanks to all in CR who have made my family & me feel at home! pic.twitter.com/2Ewa5HGKIj
— Andrew Schapiro (@AndySchapiro) March 31, 2015Andrew Schapiro, 51, is a Chicago lawyer who became an ambassador only half a year ago.
By Saturday, 25 foreign leaders and several international organizations confirmed their participation in the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War that is to take place in Moscow on May 9, the head of the Kremlin administration Sergey Ivanov said.
The Soviet Union lost over 11 million soldiers during the war, constituting the biggest death toll among other members of the coalition, fighting against Nazi Germany. Military parades to mark the victory in the Second World War are to take place on the streets of 26 Russian cities.
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"These days, the Czech Republic is a confused and depressing place.
Its membership in the EU robbed it of most of its fabled industry. The membership in NATO took away its independence. It’s incredibly close relationship with the US and Israel took away its dignity.
During the “Soviet Era”, the world was not perfect. Prague was gray. But Czechs and Slovaks were fighting for a better world, confronting Western imperialism and neo-colonialism.
Now, the Czechs are participating in almost all the military adventures of the Empire.
Sadly, the new “freedom” meant joining the Empire, imperialism, and the usurpers. Czechs are sensing that they betrayed, again. But the fact seems to be too frightening to be defined. And there is no media that would carry such message, anyway.
Prague is now full of kitsch, physical and mental. Old and great theatres and art cinemas are replaced with despicable cheap crystal shops and massage parlors. Enthusiasm and zeal is replaced with pragmatism and greed.
And the US army, which is murdering innocent people, all over the world, is being welcomed with cheers, and served with cold Pilsner beer."