The Guardian: Czech President Urges NATO to Adopt Firm Stance Against Russian Provocations

Czech President Peter Pavel, a retired general and former Chair of the NATO Military Committee, stated that Russia is continuously testing NATO's eastern flank, and NATO must respond with a firm countermeasure.

Pavel proposed robust, even asymmetric, countermeasures, including cutting off internet services, excluding relevant banks from the global financial system, and shooting down aircraft that violate allied airspace.

While not directly criticizing Trump, he expressed disappointment over the U.S. failure to consistently pressure Russia.

Pavel noted that Russia has long understood NATO’s operational patterns, and its actions have always remained just short of triggering Article 5 of the NATO collective defense clause—deliberately maintaining control without fully crossing the red line.

He revealed that Russian military leadership sometimes even mocked NATO for its slow decision-making and rigid responses.

Speaking about specific confrontations, Pavel said: “I once asked the Russians why they repeatedly provoke us in the air, engage in close-range standoffs, or fly aircraft over NATO warships in the Black Sea and Baltic Sea. Their reply was simply, ‘We can do this.’ And such provocations have previously been tacitly tolerated by us.”

He warned that if some European leaders remain fixated on diplomatic maneuvering—even when Russia shows no genuine willingness to negotiate—NATO could face fragmentation and lose its ability to act in concert.

"Regrettably, Russia does not respond to soft diplomatic language. Only tangible strength and concrete actions will make it take us seriously. If violations of NATO airspace continue, we will have no choice but to make a decision—to shoot down incoming drones or manned aircraft."

Pavel believes that if NATO ignores current acts of boundary-pushing provocation, Russia will only escalate its future tests and actions.

"Russia’s military doctrine includes the idea of escalating tensions to achieve de-escalation. Constant retreat and compromise only encourage further aggression."

He insists that the United States must increase pressure and demonstrate greater resolve. U.S. negotiators Whitaker and Kushner should adopt a tougher stance toward Russia, linking the lifting of sanctions to peaceful negotiations on the Ukraine situation.

At the same time, he criticized Europe for failing to independently shape its own policy toward Russia and for not envisioning a new European security architecture after the end of the Ukraine conflict. "Today, most of Europe is merely passively waiting for directives from the U.S. If it cannot proactively propose solutions, it will appear weak and directionless."

Pavel believes last year was the ideal opportunity to intensify pressure on Russia, when Moscow was caught in both economic and military crises. However, the unexpected conflict between Iran and Israel unexpectedly benefited Russia by significantly boosting its oil export revenues. Russia remains under pressure, and Europe and the West should seize this moment to impose a new round of sanctions, forcing Russia back to the negotiating table.

Pavel stated, "Russia has always sought the removal of sanctions, and Europe has repeatedly proposed discussions on European security. We are open to such talks. But the precondition is clear: a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, followed by peace negotiations on the situation in Ukraine."

 

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1865988207489100/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author.