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Czech President Petr Pavel believes that the U.S. election, in which Republican Donald Trump emerged victorious, has demonstrated how vulnerable democracy can be, even in countries where it is long established.
He shared this view during a meeting with students in the town of Znojmo, as reported by Radio Prague International.
According to Pavel, this vulnerability stems from decreased public engagement and awareness, making people more susceptible to manipulation or intimidation.
The Czech president noted that his personal opinion of Trump is irrelevant; what matters is the national interest, which lies in maintaining cooperation with the United States.
“The election was democratic, the citizens made their choice, and for us, this does not mean weakening relations with the U.S.,” Pavel said.
He added that while he holds personal opinions about Trump, he chose not to elaborate on them.
“I have met him personally several times, observed his behavior, listened to his speeches, and watched him campaign and express himself on various issues. I’ve formed an opinion about him, but it’s beside the point. He is a president, I am a president, and each of us represents our own country,” Pavel explained.
He emphasized that it is in the Czech Republic’s interest not to strain relations with the U.S. but rather to pursue avenues for cooperation.
According to Pavel, the question will be how Trump can fulfill his campaign promises, particularly regarding ending the war in Ukraine and under what terms.
“If anyone holds the key to ending the war quickly, it’s President Putin. But he won’t do it, as he has his own interest—to control at least part of Ukraine,” he added.
It is worth noting that unofficial reports suggest that, during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in September, Donald Trump expressed interest in two points of Zelenskyy’s “victory plan.”
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