Czech President Says Allies Have Two Months to Push Russia Into Peace Talks

Czech President Petr Pavel said Ukraine’s allies have a two-month window to increase pressure on Russia and compel the Kremlin to begin meaningful peace negotiations with Kyiv, UATV English reports.

In an interview with The Telegraph following the NATO summit in Ankara, Pavel said he doubts Russian President Vladimir Putin will order a new wave of mobilization before Russia’s parliamentary elections scheduled for September 20. After the vote, however, he warned that the current window of opportunity could begin to close.

“That is why I believe we must continue applying very strong pressure. Right now, we have an opportunity to increase that pressure and send Russia a clear signal that we are ready for negotiations,” Pavel said.

The Czech president argued that Moscow would become more willing to negotiate if Ukraine continues to carry out successful long-range strikes against targets deep inside Russia while Western allies maintain political, economic, and military pressure.

“If this pressure continues, and if Ukraine remains capable of successfully striking targets deep inside Russian territory, it will create conditions in which Russia will be more inclined to negotiate,” he said.

Pavel stressed that allies should continue providing Ukraine with everything it needs to defend itself while using all available diplomatic tools to convince Moscow that negotiations are its only viable option.

He also noted that Russia is facing growing domestic challenges and that Russian society is becoming increasingly fatigued by the war, making it more difficult for Putin to maintain stability at home.

At the same time, Pavel acknowledged that after more than four years of full-scale war, both the countries directly involved in the conflict and those supporting Ukraine are experiencing signs of “war fatigue.”

Nevertheless, he said most Europeans understand that peace will not come simply through goodwill.

“Most people understand that we have to act. They also understand that Russia under Vladimir Putin will not suddenly decide to end the war and restore peace in Ukraine. It has to be pushed toward that decision,” Pavel said.

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