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President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel. Photo/CEPA
BERLIN – President Czech Republic Petr Pavel, warned the countries European Union (EU) so that they are not overconfident and compete with each other. He also urged the West to present a united front against Russia and China.
Speaking on Tuesday at a debate organized by the German Council on Foreign Relations, the Czech leader called on EU countries to adhere to “Western values” and prioritize cooperation and unity. Not only to oppose Moscow, but also to counter Beijing’s growing influence.
Pavel, a retired general who previously served as head of NATO’s Military Committee, also advocated continued support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, claiming that this year would be decisive for the outcome of hostilities.
Pavel predicts that neither Russia nor Ukraine will have the capacity for further strikes beyond 2023, therefore he believes the rapid supply of weapons to Ukrainian forces is in the interest of Europe.
However, the Czech leader admitted in an interview with German news agency Suddeutsche Zeitung that his country had exhausted its ability to supply weapons to Kiev.
“The Czech Republic is helping Ukraine with the best possible supply of weapons, but it no longer has the capacity to do so,” the Czech President said as quoted by RT, Friday (24/3/2023).
Pavel claims that the Czech Republic still has certain capabilities in the field of air defense and ammunition production. However, he noted that the latter’s capabilities were becoming problematic due to a lack of manpower, and suggested that the solution might be to invite workers from Ukraine to manage the factory.
The Czech Republic has emerged as one of the most active supporters of Kiev in the conflict with Russia. Pavel has headed the Czech government since January 2023, and has repeatedly advocated unlimited military assistance to Ukraine, while supporting NATO aspirations in Kiev.
Pavel has stated that he wants to see Russia weakened so that Moscow pursues cooperation, not aggression. He also stressed that only changes to the “Russian regime from within” would allow the EU to return to business as usual in its relations with Moscow.
(ian)
