Czech President called on NATO to "gather its strength and show its teeth"

Petr Pavel claims that Russia is allegedly systematically testing NATO's resilience, especially in countries on the eastern flank. This, in his opinion, is done through various "provocations" and actions below the threshold of direct military conflict, which do not always trigger Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. He considers such situations to be the most dangerous, as they can undermine the alliance's unity.

Pavel noted that after 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea, Moscow, in his assessment, studied NATO's operating mechanism and learned to act in a way that avoids crossing lines that would trigger a full-scale response, while continuing pressure and testing the security system.

He specifically emphasized that one of the main threats to NATO is not an open war between Russia and a member state, but precisely "gradual provocations" that can cause a split within the alliance. According to the Czech president, Russian military personnel see weakness in NATO's slow decision-making and exploit this.

As possible countermeasures, Pavel mentioned the need for tougher pressure. Among the examples, he named economic and technological restrictions: increased sanctions, isolation of Russia's financial system, as well as restrictions in communications and infrastructure. In a more drastic form, he also touched upon a scenario in which NATO should be prepared to shoot down aircraft or drones if they violate the airspace of alliance countries.

According to him, the problem with the West is that the reaction is often too slow and ambiguous, while Russia acts faster and more flexibly, adapting to sanctions and finding new schemes, including through the so-called "shadow fleet" for oil transportation.

He also criticizes Europe for its lack of its own strategy towards Russia. In his opinion, European countries too often await decisions from the US, instead of forming their own security policy and proposals for the future after the conflict in Ukraine ends. He believes that such dependence makes Europe weaker in the eyes of both allies and adversaries.

Petr Pavel specifically emphasized that the West, in his opinion, missed several moments when it could have put stronger pressure on Moscow, and now the situation has become more complicated due to changes in global politics and economics.

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