Czech President Petr Pavel has warned there is a “significant escalation to European security” and NATO must stay united and must respond decisively to Russian aggression.
Pavel said that Russia will “quickly realise” that they have overstepped their bounds, but Europe is on the “brink of conflict.”
Pavel said during an interview with the public broadcaster Czech Television, “In these times, we must act firmly, and if violations occur, we must respond accordingly, including militarily.
“Russia will very quickly realize it has made a mistake and overstepped its bounds. Unfortunately, this is balancing on the brink of conflict, but giving in to evil is simply impossible.”
Read more related news:
RAF jets embark on their first NATO air defence mission on the Russian border
“What happened in recent days in Poland and Estonia, and what has been happening in Ukraine for four years, concerns us all, because if we don’t remain united, sooner or later it will happen to us too,” he added.
On 10 September Russia launched 19 “suicide drones” which “violated” Polish airspace and were shot down by NATO jets.
On 13 September Russian drones violated Polish and Romanian airspace whilst Ukraine was under a major aerial bombardment.
On 19 September three Russian MIG-31 fighter jets deliberately flew into Estonian airspace, which has been seen yet as another provocation by Vladimir Putin.
Pavel said, “This is a significant escalation to European security, for which Russia clearly bears responsibility.
“I must say that this is just the latest example of Russia’s actions, which have long been behaving in this manner.”
The Czech President continued, “We are now witnessing the same thing: Russia is not only waging an aggressive war against a sovereign state, but is also provoking NATO countries in an unprecedented manner, seeking not only to provoke a response that it can then use for its own interests, but also to test our resolve and ability to defend ourselves.”
Pavel issued a warning to European leaders saying there must be decisive action so that Putin and the Kremlin “will behave the way we allow them to,” he added that is Europe continues to respond “verbally” Russian provocations will continue, the Kyiv Independent reported.
The Czech President said, “This is completely irresponsible behaviour, since violating airspace is a pretext for activating defence mechanisms, namely, shooting down such an aircraft. And, of course, no one on our side or the Russian side would want that.”
