Czech President Petr Pavel has called on NATO to adopt a more forceful stance against Russia's escalating provocations on the alliance's eastern flank. In an interview with the Guardian, Pavel, a former general and ex-chair of NATO's military committee, urged the alliance to consider asymmetric responses such as shutting down Russia's internet, cutting its banks from global financial systems, and shooting down aircraft that violate allied airspace.
Pavel expressed frustration with what he described as a lack of determination from the United States in pushing back against Russia, though he avoided direct criticism of President Donald Trump. He warned that without decisive action, Moscow would continue to test NATO's resolve, potentially leading to more aggressive behaviour. 'If we do not react to the violations we face today, then Russia would probably step up,' he said, echoing recent warnings from Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
The Czech leader noted that Russia has learned to operate just below the threshold for Article 5, which stipulates that an armed attack on one member is an attack on all. He recounted conversations with Russian military leaders who laughed at NATO's decision-making paralysis, saying they conducted provocative actions 'because we can'. Pavel stressed that Russia 'does not understand nice language' and responds only to power and action.
Recent incidents include a NATO jet shooting down a drone over Estonia, with similar disruptions in Latvia and Lithuania. While most drones are believed to be Ukrainian units redirected by Russian electronic warfare, Moscow has accused the Baltic states of collaborating with Ukraine—a claim they deny. Pavel suggested that if airspace violations continue, NATO must be prepared to shoot down both unmanned and manned aircraft.
Pavel also advocated for asymmetric measures that avoid casualties but inflict significant consequences, such as disabling internet or satellite services—citing the battlefield impact of Starlink—or severing Russian banks from the financial system. He pointed to the EU's delayed action against Russia's shadow fleet, which only relocated when sanctions were finally imposed, as evidence that firm responses work.
Ultimately, Pavel insisted that Ukraine needs greater pressure from the United States in negotiations, urging US envoys to be tougher on Russia and tie sanctions to concrete outcomes. He warned that NATO's internal divisions and preference for diplomacy, despite Russia's unwillingness to engage, risk leaving the alliance paralysed and unable to counter future threats.
