"Peace in Europe can no longer be taken for granted," says Petr Pavel
Czech President Petr Pavel stated that peace in Europe is no longer “a given” and requires active protection and support from the continent’s nations.
This was reported by The Guardian.
He emphasized that Europe must “actively defend, uphold, and support” peace, as well as strengthen its own ability to act independently in crisis situations.
“Peace in Europe is no longer a given,” Pavel emphasized.
According to him, the main lesson of today’s challenges lies not in isolating Europe, but in the need to make it strong enough to “stand on its own two feet if necessary.”
Pavel also cautioned that historical processes will not pause while waiting for Europe to be ready, so states must use all available tools to strengthen their position.
Separately, the Czech president stressed the importance of closer cooperation between the EU and NATO, noting that the European Union has resources that the Alliance lacks, particularly funding, infrastructure, and industrial policy.
“I am convinced that these two sets of tools must be linked. NATO and the European Union are not competitors in the field of European security. They must function as complementary pillars,” he added.
Russia’s accusations regarding the alleged involvement of the Baltic states in strikes on Russian territory may be part of Moscow’s preparations for a possible opening of a second front against NATO countries.
Russia has launched large-scale nuclear exercises to demonstrate its strength to Ukraine’s allies, increase pressure on NATO, and divert attention from its own failures on the front lines. This is the conclusion reached by analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation officially announced the start of large-scale military exercises involving strategic nuclear forces, which will take place from May 19 to 21, 2026.
Ukraine reacted sharply to the joint nuclear exercises between Russia and Belarus, stating that they violate international treaties and pose a threat to global security. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that Moscow is effectively turning Belarus into a nuclear springboard near NATO’s borders.
