President Pavel: US must increase pressure on Russia to achieve peace in Ukraine

The United States must step up political pressure on Russia and force it to the negotiating table, otherwise peace in Ukraine will not be possible, Czech President Petr Pavel said at a Ukraine-themed luncheon held on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation.

According to President Pavel, Moscow is currently not mentally prepared for negotiations.

The Czech president called for the spread of the “Scandinavian spirit” in Europe. He said northern European countries are not afraid to stand up to major powers, citing Denmark’s recent dispute with the United States over Greenland and Russian threats toward Finland prior to its accession to NATO.

Mr. Pavel also expressed agreement with the view presented by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who told the conference that Ukraine now has the strongest army in Europe and should be part of NATO. Pavel said it would be “very smart” to have an army such as Ukraine’s within the Alliance, describing it as currently the most experienced in the world alongside Russia’s.