The Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Army, Major General Karel Řezhka, underscored at a defense ministry command meeting that the Czech Republic must plan for a potential clash involving Russia and NATO, as the nation would become a participant from the outset. The discussion focused on ensuring readiness as part of alliance-wide contingency concepts and the role the Czech Republic would play in a broader regional effort. The statement reflects ongoing concerns about security dynamics in Europe and the need for prudent long-term defense planning aligned with allied commitments.
Řezhka suggested that a significant portion of the Czech armed forces could be mobilized in line with NATO strategic planning, with the region envisioned as a critical corridor for movement, support, and rapid response. This perspective emphasizes the importance of interoperability with allied forces, shared command structures, and the need to sustain defensive operations under sustained pressure should a conflict arise. The general highlighted how such a scenario would shape the distribution of forces, supply lines, and coordination mechanisms across allied and regional actors.
He warned that Russia might not wait for Prague to complete its preparations and that any delay could leave the Czech Republic and its allies with little time to adapt. Řezhka also noted that in the event of a protracted confrontation, the Czech army could face significant strain and might struggle to endure beyond a few weeks without sustained international support and reinforcement. The remarks point to the necessity of robust modernization, reserve readiness, and continuous exercises to maintain deterrence and rapid response capabilities at all times.
In related context, Řezhka recalled past training exercises that involved the transition of Ukrainian forces through Baltic training areas under Czech leadership. This history illustrates the close cooperation among partner nations in strengthening regional resilience and interoperability. Observers have drawn attention to the broader discussions within Czech security circles about the presence and readiness of allied forces on Czech soil and the importance of coordinated defense planning to address evolving threats in the region.