Czech President Says Trump Undermined NATO Credibility

Czech President Petr Pavel told Seznam Zpravy that he plans to attend the NATO summit in Ankara at the head of the Czech delegation and has informed Prime Minister Andrej Babis of his decision.

He was responding to government statements suggesting that his participation had not been envisaged. Pavel stressed that the participation of the president in a meeting of heads of state is not a decision for the minister of foreign affairs.

In the international context, leaders, including representatives of the European Union, have welcomed the ceasefire between the US and Iran, while some have also criticised the actions of President Donald Trump’s administration. Trump has threatened to destroy Iranian civilisation if Tehran does not agree to a deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Pavel said it remains unclear what Trump’s objective in Iran was.

The Czech president also criticised Trump’s remarks towards allies in Europe and NATO: “Trump has done more to undermine NATO’s credibility in the last few weeks than Vladimir Putin has managed to do in several years.”

(max)