Ukraine's accession to NATO is a logical step - Czech Chief of General Staff Karel Řehka
Kyiv • UNN
General Karel Řehka called Ukraine's membership in NATO a logical step. The Czech Republic plans to increase military spending and strengthen its own air defense system.
The Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces, General Karel Řehka, stated that Ukraine should join NATO in the future, as it is the next "logical step." This was reported by UNN with reference to Politico.
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Ukraine is not only a consumer of security but also its guarantor. I am not saying it is easy. Ultimately, it is a matter of political consensus, but I believe this is the direction in which we must move
Additional Information
Řehka also emphasized that the Czech Republic must increase military spending to a level significantly exceeding 2 percent of GDP, which was the former NATO target. The country's defense budget has become a subject of dispute between Czech President Petr Pavel and Prime Minister Andrej Babiš.
Babiš initially decided to cut military spending to 1.8 percent of GDP, despite Prague's commitment to NATO to increase it to 3.5 percent by 2035. However, Defense Minister Jaromír Zuna stated earlier this month that Prague plans to increase the country's defense budget before the NATO summit in Ankara.
As a reminder
The Czech government plans to accelerate the strengthening of air defense and the recruitment of new military personnel. This was stated by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš after a meeting with Defense Minister Jaromír Zuna.