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Czech Leader Bans U.S. Envoy from Castle

For criticizing trip to Russia.

Czech President Milos Zeman has banned the U.S. ambassador from Prague Castle, following remarks the envoy made criticizing the leader for attending upcoming World War II commemorations in Moscow, local media said Sunday. Several world leaders are boycotting the May event because of Russia’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict while U.S. Ambassador Andrew Schapiro was quoted in March as saying it would “be awkward” if the Czech president was the only leader from an EU country in attendance. News portal Parlamentni Listy quoted Zeman as saying Schapiro “overstepped the mark” with his comments on the issue and he was not welcome at the president’s residence.