Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala is calling for increased military support for Ukraine and higher national defense expenditures.
He made this statement on social media platform X ahead of Sunday’s meeting of European leaders in London, as reported by Ukrinform.
“If we do not want aggressive Russia to expand just a few hundred kilometers from our homes, we must increase military support for Ukraine,” Fiala stated.
He emphasized that Europe is facing a major historical challenge and must take care of its own security and future, as no one else will do it for them.
“And if we want lasting peace, we must be well-armed. This will not happen without increasing defense spending to at least 3% of GDP,” Fiala asserted.
He warned that anyone claiming otherwise poses a threat to the national security of the Czech Republic. He also noted that after recent events, this issue is more urgent than ever.
The historical experience of the Czech Republic, he added, shows that failing to act quickly and allowing an aggressor to dictate terms never ends well. Fiala pledged to advocate this argument at the summit in London.
As previously reported, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and over ten European leaders to London on Sunday, March 2, to discuss security guarantees that nations could offer Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia.
Fiala has repeatedly stressed the need for increased defense spending and the realism of achieving this goal. In 2024, the Czech Republic reached NATO’s 2014 summit target of 2% of GDP for defense spending.
Source: Czech PM urges European allies to increase aid to Ukraine, defense spending
