“Ukraine cannot quickly free the occupied territories without significant human casualties. Pressure on it is unacceptable” – Pavel.

Czech President Petr Pavel stated that the West should not pressure Ukraine to liberate all of the currently occupied areas immediately if it would cause excessive losses. He said support for Ukraine should be based on a realistic approach, not on false hopes of an instant victory. He stressed that the goal of the allies’ support is not to achieve loud political wins, but to ensure the survival of the Ukrainian people and maintain the country’s sovereignty.

The Czech president acknowledged that rebuilding Ukraine as an autonomous state has a cost. He noted that if it involves temporarily losing control over some territories without legal recognition of them as Russian, it could be an acceptable compromise. At the same time, he emphasized that none of these territories will be recognized as part of Russia under international law.

During URC2025 in Rome, Pavel pointed out that Russia is trying to dictate where Europe should draw the line, but these efforts will not succeed. “Ukraine has chosen its own path, and we have supported its choice,” Pavel said.