**Russia’s Ongoing Conflict with Europe: A Warning from Czech President**
The conflict between Russia and Europe is far from over, according to Czech President Petr Pavel. Speaking at the GLOBSEC security conference, Pavel delivered a stark assessment of the Russian threat, stating that Russia views its relationship with Western democracies as a “continuous conflict” rather than traditional periods of peace and war.
**Russia’s Approach to International Relations**
Pavel highlighted a fundamental difference in how Russia approaches international relations compared to Western nations. While the West typically divides history into periods of peace, crisis, and war, Russia sees history as a continuous conflict where only the means and intensity change. This perspective is reflected in Russia’s current use of “mostly cyber and hybrid tools” against the West, which may quickly escalate into more aggressive forms of warfare.
**Economic Leverage Over Military Intervention**
When asked how Europe can compel Russia to negotiate, Pavel emphasized the importance of economic tools over military intervention. He noted that Europe alone does not have the power to push President Putin to the table and that other countries, particularly the United States, need to be on board at the same frequency.
**Economic Vulnerabilities as a Leverage**
Pavel argued that Russia’s economic vulnerabilities present the best leverage for negotiating with Putin. By pushing him to the brink of economic collapse, Europe can convince him to sit at the table and negotiate the future. This approach is not about bringing Russia down but rather about getting them to engage in meaningful dialogue.
**NATO’s Defense Spending Targets**
The GLOBSEC appearance coincides with accelerating discussions within NATO about dramatically increasing defense spending. Pavel warned that a seven-year timeline to reach these targets may not provide adequate preparation time given Russia’s ambitions. He also highlighted Czechia’s position as already exceeding the current 2% NATO spending target and committed to reaching 3% in coming years.
**A Warning to Neighboring Countries**
Pavel directed pointed remarks toward neighboring countries, stating that when it comes to the Czech Republic, the Russian assessment is that they are a hostile country, enemy, and traitor. He emphasized the importance of understanding this perspective and not considering Russia as a neutral country.
As tensions between Russia and Europe continue to escalate, Pavel’s warnings serve as a reminder of the gravity of the situation. His emphasis on economic leverage over military intervention and the need for international cooperation are crucial considerations in the face of an increasingly aggressive Russian adversary.
**What does this mean?**
Pavel’s statements highlight the complexity of the conflict between Russia and Europe. The fact that Russia views its relationship with Western democracies as a continuous conflict rather than traditional periods of peace and war underscores the depth of mistrust and hostility between the two sides.
The emphasis on economic leverage over military intervention suggests that the West is shifting its focus from conventional warfare to more subtle forms of coercion, such as economic sanctions. This approach may be effective in pushing Russia to negotiate but raises questions about the morality and effectiveness of using economic pressure as a means of achieving foreign policy goals.
As NATO’s defense spending targets come into focus, countries like Czechia are leading the way in demonstrating their commitment to national security and international cooperation. However, the urgency with which Pavel spoke highlights the need for all nations to take this threat seriously and work together to address it effectively.
**Read More**
To understand the full context of Pavel’s statements and the implications of Russia’s ongoing conflict with Europe, read the original article at euromaidanpress.com.
