Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to address such a distinguished and knowledgeable audience here in Brussels – Europe’s political centre, but also a place of reflection on the European project.

The state of our continent is, quite rightly, a matter of urgent debate across Europe today. Just last week, I hosted a conference in Prague on the future of the European Union. We titled it “Europe as a Task” – a phrase that captures Václav Havel’s belief that the European project is never complete, but always a work in progress.

In the more than three years since Russia launched its war of aggression against Ukraine, we have come to understand just how vulnerable some of Europe’s greatest achievements are especially – reconciliation, peace, openness. For some, Europe itself is seen as a provocation. And that is precisely why we need to work harder to protect it.

President Trump’s unorthodox approach to alliances and partnerships has reminded us of something we should have recognised earlier: Europe cannot rely on others to take care of its security and defence. This is not a responsibility we can outsource. It is ours to assume.

Clearly, this is easier said than done. It requires a major shift in thinking and the willingness to leave behind long-held assumptions. Europe has been – and still wants to be – a peace project. Many hoped that this would make conventional armies unnecessary, or at least far less central than they once were. We believed – wrongly, as it turns out – in the transformative power of international cooperation and trade.

Europe rightfully aspires to have a voice at the global stage – and to be taken seriously. We are not interested in falling into anyone’s sphere of influence. We want to be in charge of our own future: defending the international order set on rules, shaping the European security architecture, and standing as a beacon for less fortunate nations.

This, among other things, motivates our principled response to Russia’s aggression and the continued support for Ukraine.

We now see more clearly that we can remain both safe and relevant only if we act from a position of self-confidence and strength. The consensus on how we see threats – and the urgency to respond – has shifted. But important questions remain: how we build real hard power, and what political costs we are willing to accept.

The aim is not to create an alternative to NATO, but to strengthen its European pillar. Not by turning away from the United States, but by ensuring that we are capable of defending our own interests – even without active American support, if necessary.

It is encouraging to see NATO member states taking concrete steps to increase their defence spending and investment. But the key question remains: how do we use these resources to meaningfully strengthen our defence capabilities?

I never tire of emphasising that, as part of NATO’s European pillar, we must focus on building up strategic enablers – such as transport, logistics, satellite-based communications, intelligence.

I believe we should also consider strengthening NATO’s operational autonomy in Europe by mirroring key US-held positions within the NATO structures – so that Europe-specific operations remain possible even without the active participation of the US.

At the EU level, I strongly support deeper European defence cooperation and welcome the latest initiatives in this area.

We have no time to lose. That is why Czechia supports increasing defence spending within the EU through tools such as the proposed SAFE mechanism, the proposed exemption from fiscal rules for defence investment, and a shift in the European Investment Bank’s approach to defence financing – a change we have long advocated for.

We also welcome ongoing work on proposals to use part of cohesion funds for defence purposes, efforts to mobilise private capital, and the simplification of public procurement procedures. Naturally, we are committed to strengthening the European defence industry – the speed is crucial.

We will need to be coordinated and swift in responding to evolving military needs. Russia’s war in Ukraine is offering hard but valuable lessons. The nature of warfare is changing at an unprecedented pace – as I learned first-hand during my visit to Kyiv and Odesa recently. We must apply the innovation and insights gained on the battlefield in Ukraine – not least in the area of autonomous systems.

To round off my opening remarks, let me add this: if we truly want to be stronger, it is not enough to have well-equipped armies. The true strength of any society lies, above all, in its people. They are the foundation of our institutions, our identity, and our resilience.

That is why we must also invest in strengthening access to credible information, to support critical thinking, and media literacy. These are essential pillars of a resilient and confident Europe.

The Kremlin is well aware of how crucial it is – for its own purposes – to undermine our internal cohesion. While it has underperformed on the battlefield, it has intensified its long-term hybrid operations and disinformation campaigns against European democracies. 

Building trust – both among ourselves and in our institutions – is essential. Interference in Europe’s internal affairs and electoral processes is very real, and we must respond with efficiency and clarity.

The good news is that we have risen to many of the challenges that have confronted us since 2022. And the main lesson is a hopeful one: if we remain focused on a unifying purpose, we can prevail.

Thank you for your attention.

President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, the European Policy Centre, on Tuesday 20 May 2025