Czech General Staff chief: NATO-Russia war may break out

Head of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces Karel Řehka has said that a war with Russia does not seem inconceivable and the country will not have time to prepare.

“If a conflict broke out between NATO and Russia, the Czech Republic would have been an active participant from the first minute,” Řehka noted, according to iRozhlas.

“Most of our servicemen will fight according to NATO’s defence plans. Our territory will become an important transit zone and base, and it depends on soldiers for this zone to be safe and to be able to operate,” he said.

“We should not take the world for granted. We must actively maintain and protect our way of life, otherwise, we will lose it. A war in Europe is not inconceivable, and we will not have time to prepare for it if we do not prepare for the long-term prospect in peacetime,” the head of the General Staff said.

Řehka noted that NATO's war with Russia is likely to last longer than a few weeks.

“Of course, our resources of a long-term underfunded professional army and active reserves would not be enough for this. The country would have to mobilise material and human resources,” he stressed.

“This is just a reality that is clear to anyone who has a serious attitude towards defence,” the head of the General Staff added.

Řehka said that it is time to start reminding that there is a statutory conscription, a mobilisation system, and that not only the army is involved in defence. Society should not be afraid.

“However, we should talk about it frankly and inform society. This is part of building resilience and defence,” he added.

The head of the General Staff noted that the Czech government, society and the army are doing their best for Ukraine to achieve a military victory on the battlefield.

“Regardless of the outcome of the war in Ukraine, we must expect Russia’s threat. Whether we like it or not, we must prepare for a possible clash between Russia and NATO,” he said.

“The aim of our efforts is to avoid a war, rather than to provoke it. However, if it happens, we must win it. The only way to achieve this is to show aggressive Russia that its efforts will be futile,” Řehka said.