President of the Czech Republic: We will all lose if Putin wins in Ukraine

Pavel warned against an unjust peace in Ukraine / photo UNIANThe President of the Czech Republic, retired general Petr Pavel, warned that Russia’s victory in Ukraine would be a defeat for the entire West.

In an interview with The Sunday Times at Prague Castle – the same place where Hitler declared a “protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia” in 1939 – he compared the current behavior of the West to the appeasement policy of the Second World War. Recent claims of secret negotiations between the US and Russia, including the transfer of Ukrainian territories, are dangerously reminiscent of the Munich Agreement of 1938.

“If we allow Russia to emerge victorious from this conflict, we will all lose,” Pavel emphasized.

Putin’s narrativeThe Czech president drew a historical parallel between the Nazi use of the German minority in the Sudetenland and the Russian narrative of “protecting Russians.”

“The same narrative is used by Vladimir Putin,” he said.

Pavel is sure that the West is not betraying Ukraine the way it once betrayed Czechoslovakia, but it shows “unwillingness to defend the principles it supposedly defends.”

NATO must act tougherThe Czech leader sharply criticized NATO’s reaction to numerous air space violations by Russian planes and drones.

“The violations are deliberate and well-planned… Russia is testing our resolve,” Pavel said.

He is convinced that the Alliance should be ready for more decisive actions, “including shooting down a Russian plane or drone.” Pavel says:

“I believe there will come a time when we will have to take stronger measures, including potentially shooting down a Russian aircraft or drones. Russia will not allow repeated violations of its airspace. And we must do the same.”

Fight without the USAfter the return of Donald Trump to the White House, European capitals are worried about the possible reduction of the American military presence. Pavel warns: Europe must have its own forces capable of replacing American capabilities in intelligence, logistics and command.

He proposes the creation of a “European pillar of NATO” – a structure where key command positions would be shared between American and European officers, which would allow a painless transfer of command in the absence of the United States.

Time for a new deal with Russia? Pavel admits that after the end of the war, Europe will need a new security agreement with Moscow – like the Helsinki Agreements of 1975. But only after Russia recognizes the territorial sovereignty of all states and agrees to limit its own aggressive activities.

“We simply cannot allow Ukraine to lose,” he said.

Speaking about global challenges, Pavel called China a “systemic rival” and warned that Beijing aspires to become a world hegemon while simultaneously building up its military and economic power. According to him, Europe must create a real counterbalance.

Peace negotiations regarding Ukraine – Europe’s positionAs UNIAN reported, Putin is known for postponing difficult decisions as much as possible. In particular, the longer the peace process lasts, the more Russian forces can advance on the front and destroy Ukraine’s energy system. Putin believes that he will win the war against the West.

At the same time, European leaders face their most difficult moment in trying to preserve the transatlantic alliance after the White House released the 33-page National Security Strategy signed by President Donald Trump.

As Bloomberg writes, the document warns that Europe risks “being destroyed” if it does not change its policies and approaches to security.

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