Czech President Suggests Ukraine Territorial Concessions to Achieve Peace with Russia
Czech President Petr Pavel stated that Ukraine may need to make territorial concessions to achieve a peace agreement with Russia, despite such actions conflicting with international law.
He described, in an interview with the Czech newspaper Seznam Zprávy, that this as a practical acknowledgment of the current battlefield realities where Russia controls certain territories.
Pavel emphasized that any deal should view these territories as temporarily occupied rather than permanently Russian.
The president suggested that these concessions could serve as a lesser evil compared to prolonging the conflict, which would lead to more deaths and destruction.
He clarified that the specifics of any territorial agreement remain solely between Ukraine and Russia. Pavel refrained from offering advice on which areas should be retained or surrendered, noting it exceeds external authorities.
Regarding peacekeeping, Pavel indicated that if international forces are deployed under a temporary agreement, the Czech Republic should participate due to its early and active support for Ukraine.
He mentioned the possibility of creating a demilitarized zone along the contact line, monitored by technical and physical means. The exact nature of Czech involvement would depend on the agreement’s terms, potentially including roles like training or demining.
Czech Defense Minister Jana Cernochova previously stated that sending soldiers to Ukraine is not currently under consideration, but if it occurs, it might resemble past missions in Yugoslavia away from front lines.
Pavel noted Russia’s past opposition to foreign troops but suggested attitudes might shift. Any deployment would require approval from the Czech government and parliament.
Pavel expressed optimism about ongoing negotiations on security guarantees for Ukraine, involving the United States, Europe, and Ukraine itself. He highlighted U.S. President Donald Trump’s meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin as steps toward potential talks.
He shared a cautious view similar to leaders like Finland’s Alexander Stubb and France’s Emmanuel Macron, warning against over-optimism about Russia’s willingness for quick peace.
Pavel pointed out that Putin could have ended the war earlier and that Russia’s current battlefield advantage might reduce its incentive to negotiate. Despite this, he urged continued efforts to advance the peace process.
Pavel also contended that earlier provision of advanced aid, such as armored vehicles, long-range ammunition, missiles, and aircraft, might have altered the war’s course.
He observed that while such support eventually materialized, the gradual approach extended the suffering. The president maintained that coordinated economic pressure from the U.S. and Europe could have compelled Russia to act sooner without risking broader conflict.
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