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Deputy Minister Blažkovec in the NATO Defence Ministerial: Aid to Ukraine must continue

Ministry of Defence & Armed Forces of the Czech Republic

17.10.2022
Author: by MoD Communication Department and MoD Defence Policy and Strategy Division

Brussels hosted a two-day meeting of NATO Defence Ministers. Minister Jana Černochová was represented by Deputy Minister Daniel Blažkovec. The main topics of the discussion were the provision of aid to Ukraine and the Allies' preparedness to provide the security of the citizens of the Alliance against all threats. The Czech Republic, along with 13 other Allies, joined the intention to strengthen air defence systems in Europe.

The meeting solidified the unity of all Allies and the Alliance's readiness to defend the NATO territory and citizens against all military threats. With regards to the enduring provision of aid to Ukraine, the Alliance needs to focus on a replenishment of the stocks of weapons, ammunition and other equipment. It is also vital to focus on an even closer cooperation with the defence industry.

The Defence Ministers further discussed the future direction of requirements on the development of military capabilities of individual Allies, which need to reflect current threats. In the light of the recent attacks against the Nord Stream pipeline, Ministers also discussed increasing the role of NATO in the protection of critical infrastructure at sea.

Joined by the EU HR/VP, the NATO Defence Ministers also discussed the situation in critical regions, which host NATO and EU common operations and missions, which primarily involves Iraq and the Western Balkans (Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina).

Allies cannot afford to hesitate

NATO unanimously appraised Kyiv's resolution in view of the war in Ukraine. According to Deputy Minister Blažkovec, Russia's recent steps made the war even more dangerous and less predictable.

"The mobilisation opens a new phase of the war. The only possible answer is to continue and intensify the provision of support to Ukraine. We cannot afford a hesitant and slow approach," added the Deputy Minister. He further said that he believes that if democratic states remain unified in their support, Ukraine will prevail.

So far, the Czech Republic has provided to Ukraine military materiel worth CZK 4.2 billion and is among the five biggest supporters of Kyiv. According to a recent statement by Defence Minister Jana Černochová, Czech military equipment and materiel significantly contributed to Ukrainian military success. Representatives of the Czech defence industry kept up their production to deliver "vital materiel, and many of them were also very generous with their donations to Ukraine", said the Minister at the meeting with the defence industry last week.

"We also support the planned EU mission aimed at the training of Ukrainian soldiers, which is based on Ukraine's current requests, within which we shall work together with our partners," said Deputy Minister Blažkovec.

He added that Allies should be prepared to help Ukraine after the war, too. "Once the conflict is over, we, as NATO and the EU, should be prepared to smoothly transition from war aid to post-war reconstruction."

Initiative to strengthen European air defence

During the meeting, fourteen countries including the Czech Republic signed an initiative led by Germany, which aims to strengthen cooperation and efficiency in building ground based air defence systems. The initiative does not change the current air defence policy set by NATO. Its aim is for example a common approach and acceleration of acquisition processes of the same air defence equipment.