Czech president warns West of incomplete victory in Russian-Ukrainian war
Photo: Oleksandr Bramsky/ Suspilne
The West should prepare for the fact that there will not be a complete victory in the Russian-Ukrainian war.
The President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, said this in an interview with The Guardian during his trip to London for the coronation of Charles III.
"I think we should do anything at what is at our disposal to encourage Ukrainians and support them to succeed. But internally, we should also be ready for other contingencies," Pavel said.
According to the Czech president, there is an understanding in Kyiv that one should not "underestimate the Russians because they have enough manpower, they still have enough equipment, even though it is older, probably in lower numbers, but still, they have a large amount of artillery barrels, they have a lot of ammunition."
" They are not so incapable in terms of defense," said Pavel.
"And of course, being in defense makes it easier for them because Ukraine will have suffered terrible losses, even if they are well prepared. So attacking an enemy like Russia will be difficult, and Russians will not be caught by surprise for the second time," he noted.
The Czech leader emphasized that the primary demand of Zelensky during their meeting on April 28 was ammunition against the background of preparations for a counteroffensive.
EU member states this week agreed to supply ammunition to Ukraine from outside the union, including Great Britain and the United States, despite initial objections from France. And this decision, according to him, will increase opportunities for assistance to Ukraine in the coming weeks and months.
European nations cannot manufacture the weaponry necessary for Ukraine, yet they can acquire it through purchase.
Zelensky said he would provide qualified technicians for new munitions factories if the EU's defense industry is not up to the task.
Pavel believes that the EU should supply ammunition to Ukraine worldwide, including countries that may not want to admit their involvement in the conflict with Russia or with which European capitals may feel some diplomatic discomfort in relations.
"There are ways we can do it," the Czech leader summed up.
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It should be noted that the President of Slovakia arrived in Ukraine on the morning of April 28, together with the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel. For him, this was his first visit to Ukraine as a state leader.
After the first day of trips to the north of Kyiv region and key meetings in the capital, the presidents stayed overnight. This is a relatively rare occasion for visits by top foreign officials during a full-scale war.
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