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The level of training of Peter Pavel, who won the presidential elections in the Czech Republic, suggests that he can become one of the key moderators of aid to Ukraine. Ivan Preobrazhenskyi, a political scientist and expert on the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, stated this today, January 30, on the air of the FREEDOM TV channel.
He reminded that Petr Pavel is a general, former head of the General Staff of the Czech Army, and former head of the NATO Staff Council.
“Accordingly, not only the Czech, but also the NATO general. At the same time, when he ran for office, accusations were made against him that he was also a former communist soldier, that is, he was in the army even before the collapse of Czechoslovakia, before the Velvet Revolution in 1989, he was even a member of the Communist Party. But since then, it is obvious that his views have seriously changed, especially since he was essentially a hereditary military man and did not seriously choose this vocation for himself. Accordingly, he prepared for these elections for a very long time, there were rumors that he would run for office on the eve of the previous elections, and talks about him being the ideal candidate began immediately after the general introduction of national elections, which Milos Zeman won at the time. Mylos Zeman is the president of the Czech Republic who proposed to recognize the de facto and de jure annexation of Crimea, for example, and take some kind of financial compensation from Russia for it. And in principle, he was friends with the Kremlin until the very last moment – until February 24, 2024, he always maintained relations. Peter Pavel takes a tough position in relation to Russia,” said Preobrazhensky.
The political scientist noted that one of Pavel’s key advisers is Petr Kolarzh, the former ambassador to Washington and Moscow.
“Accordingly, he is very well informed himself, both through his work in NATO and through his advisers, about what is really happening now, and he initially advocated maximum active support for Ukraine. Categorically against any appeals voiced by Andrey Babysh. But at the same time, of course, against the direct military intervention of the Czech Republic, as well as NATO countries in this war,” the expert added.
According to Preobrazhensky, Peter Pavel understands very well what challenges the Czech Republic faces, he knows all the weaknesses not only of his Czech army, of which he is the commander-in-chief according to the Constitution, but also of the armies of NATO countries, he understands perfectly well what opportunities they have to support Ukraine and which have not been used yet.
“Theoretically, if he occupies a sufficiently prominent place at the all-European level, the Czech Republic is still not a very large country, and it is difficult for its president to influence anything, but his level of preparation suggests that he can become one of the key moderators of aid to Ukraine” , – summarized the political scientist.
