Petr Pavel urges NATO to decisively defend airspace against Russian provocations

Czech President Petr Pavel and Romanian President Nicușor Dan have called for NATO to demonstrate a resolute commitment to defending its airspace and coastal waters following Russian provocations. During discussions in Prague, Pavel noted that while member states previously sought non-escalatory responses to incidents, nations on the alliance’s eastern flank, such as Poland and Romania, increasingly see no choice but to use force against clear violations of their airspace.

President Dan highlighted the shared challenges of Russian hybrid warfare, including disinformation and cyberattacks, which threaten European societies. The leaders agreed to cooperate on countering these threats. Additionally, they discussed the rapid evolution of drone technology necessitated by the war in Ukraine, with Dan noting that Romania is improving its capabilities in drone detection and kinetic interception through international cooperation. The meeting also touched upon potential collaboration in the energy sector, including nuclear power.