Czech Army Chief Preparing For Possible NATO-Russia Conflict: 'If A War Breaks Out…'

Amid Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, the Chief of General Staff of the Czech Republic has warned of a potential military conflict between NATO and Russia.

What Happened: Czech's army chief General Karel Rehka said, “A war between Russia and the North Atlantic Alliance, which is the worst-case scenario for us, is not impossible; it is possible," European Pravda reported, citing Novinky. 

Rehka said Prague is preparing its forces as the intergovernmental military alliance is gearing up to prepare for a potential conflict with Russia. “Russia is now on a trajectory of conflict with the (North Atlantic) Alliance.”

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“The Czech Republic is a member of NATO, and this brings benefits, but it also imposes certain obligations. Therefore, if a war breaks out, a large number of Czech soldiers will join the fighting in accordance with the alliance’s plans,” he added.

Drawing lessons from Putin's invasion of Ukraine, Řehka emphasized that it is important to bolster national security measures and highlighted the need to reduce reliance on Moscow’s energy supplies as a priority. 

Why It Matters: Moscow's ties with NATO have been complex and strained in recent years. The 2014 annexation of Crimea by Russia and Putin's invasion of Ukraine further deteriorated the Kremlin's relations with NATO.

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The Russian side has repeatedly warned NATO not to indulge in conflict with Ukraine. Russia's ambassador to the UK threatened an escalation in the Ukraine war as the UK and other Western allies committed increasingly advanced weapons to aid Kyiv.

He told the BBC that the length of the conflict in Ukraine “depends on the efforts in an escalation of war that is being undertaken by Nato countries, especially by the UK.”

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