PRAGUE/LONDON – The President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, has called on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to react more firmly and decisively to ongoing Russian provocations near NATO's eastern flank. According to Pavel, Moscow has been consistently testing the alliance's resolve through airspace violations, cyberattacks, and hybrid operations, relying on the restraint of Western countries.

In an interview with a British newspaper, Pavel stated that NATO must "show its teeth" and clearly demonstrate that it will not tolerate such actions. The Czech President, who previously served as Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, emphasized that Russia primarily respects strength and a unified approach. He added that any indecisiveness only encourages the Kremlin to take further action.

The President's remarks come at a time of heightened tension in Eastern Europe. The Baltic states have been dealing with incidents involving airspace violations by unmanned aerial vehicles, prompting a response from NATO forces. For example, Lithuania declared a security alert due to a suspected drone and deployed alliance fighter jets.

Pavel also pointed out that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security. He argued that it is no longer possible to rely solely on the United States, and that European countries should significantly invest in defense capabilities, modern technologies, and the coordination of armed forces. He also emphasized the need for a unified European strategy towards Russia.

The issue of security and defense will be one of the main topics at the upcoming NATO summit. In recent days, a dispute has arisen between President Pavel and Prime Minister Andrej Babiš regarding the participation of the Czech delegation at the summit. The President insists on personally attending the summit, and is prepared to pursue legal action if his authority is restricted.

Security experts have noted that the current situation is reminiscent of the period of increased tension between NATO and Russia following the annexation of Crimea in 2014. According to Pavel, it is now crucial that the alliance acts in a unified manner and sends a clear signal to Moscow that any further provocations will have specific consequences.

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