The West must prepare for a lengthy war in Ukraine and deal with an increasingly hostile Russia even after it is over, Czechia’s Chief of General Staff Karel Řehka said.
In an interview for Reuters, Řehka said he was not frustrated with the pace of Ukraine’s counter-offensive, although some Western military officials have expressed concern about its slow progress.
“This is what a military offensive looks like. It’s not like a World War II movie. It takes time,” Řehka said, noting that neither of the warring sides can achieve their stated goals anytime soon.
In the interview, Rehka predicts that Moscow will act less predictably and pose a more serious threat to the West even after the Ukraine conflict ends.
He stresses that it is now important to continue supporting Ukraine, adding that the Czech Republic still has weapons it can provide. The country has already sent ammunition, tanks, armoured vehicles, rocket launchers and howitzers to its war-torn partner.
Czechia will also advocate support for Ukraine and punishment for Russia during a visit to the US by President Petr Pavel and Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský starting on Sunday, the minister’s office said on Wednesday, Czech Radio reported.
Pavel is due to address the 78th UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday and will also hold talks with a number of world leaders, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
He and Lipavský plan to present the Czech candidacy for the UN Security Council in 2032 and 2033.
Lipavský will also meet high-level UN officials and counterparts from various countries and use bilateral meetings to conduct outreach to the countries of the Global South, a spokesperson said.
(Ondřej Plevák | Euractiv.cz)
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