Why the Czech Republic Should Lead NATO’s Eastern Flank

The centre of power is shifting both in Europe and among NATO allies. Central Europe has shown with their resilience and support for Ukraine during the Russian invasion, that it should hold a more dominant position, and as Poland is struggling with rule of law violations, the Czech Republic offers a logical alternative.

Vladimir Putin spoke out last week likening himself again to Peter the Great, threatening the use of nuclear weapons, and started preparing Russians for a long war in Ukraine. The crucial news that should catch the attention of politicians in Central Europe – who are European leaders in support of a struggling Ukraine – is only the last point. There is no end in sight to the war in Ukraine, even though President Volodymyr Zelenskyy talks of peace coming as early as next year.

Governments in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland, which have led European efforts to help the Ukrainian army and society stop the Russian aggression, will have to reorient themselves from a kind of emergency mode to a longer-term transformation of the security environment and their role in it. It is not enough to simply write articles and occasional statements that Central Europe’s role in the EU or NATO has automatically increased. Temporarily, perhaps, yes, but this opportunity, which will be supported to some extent for a few more weeks by the Czech Presidency of the European Union, needs to be permanent – structural, even.