PRAHA – According to David Konček, the Czech Ambassador at NATO, the alliance is capable of immediately and effectively defending its territory in the event of a military attack on any of its member states. At the same time, Konček does not expect that extensive direct conflict between NATO and Russia will occur over the coming years. However, he considers further strengthening allied deterrence to be a key condition for maintaining security.
Konçek made these remarks in an interview with the Czech Press Service (ČTK). According to him, the security environment in which NATO operates has changed significantly in recent years. At the same time, according to the Czech diplomat, the level of threats that member states must face has increased. "The security environment has changed without precedent, and so too has the level of threat," Konček stated. In his view, this situation requires NATO to continue strengthening its defense capabilities and ability to deter a potential adversary from launching an attack.
NATO Bets on Deterrence
According to Konček, the fundamental principle of alliance security strategy remains deterrence. NATO seeks to make it clear to any potential adversary that an attack against one member state would trigger the collective defense capability of the entire alliance. The Czech Ambassador emphasized at the same time that NATO possesses military capacities enabling it to respond to threats to its territory. In his view, the ability for immediate defense is one of the main elements on which the credibility of the North Atlantic Alliance rests. Konček also rejects the notion that extensive conflict between Russia and NATO would be inevitable in coming years. Direct military confrontation is not a scenario that can automatically be expected, according to him. However, he noted that the situation requires long-term preparedness.
The Security Environment Has Changed
According to Konček, the change in the security environment concerns not only the military capabilities of individual states but also a broader spectrum of security risks and various scenarios for development. Strengthening defense capacities therefore remains one of the priorities of member countries. In addition to traditional military assets, this includes the ability to rapidly deploy units, secure logistical routes, protect critical infrastructure, and ensure sufficient supplies and other resources needed in case of crisis situations. For the Czech Republic, this implies continued emphasis on its own defensive capabilities as well as fulfilling obligations toward NATO. The security of individual member states is closely linked according to alliance principles.
Extensive Conflict Is Not an Expected Scenario According to Konček
The statement by the Czech Ambassador comes at a time when attention has been heightened regarding relations between Russia and Western countries. However, Konçek emphasizes the difference between preparing for the worst possible scenario and assuming that it will actually occur. In his assessment, extensive conflict between NATO and Russia in coming years is not a scenario to be considered probable. At the same time, security conditions cannot be underestimated. According to the Czech diplomat, sufficient military capabilities and convincing deterrence are essential to prevent direct confrontation altogether. Thus, debate over European security remains primarily linked with questions of how to maintain strong defense while simultaneously preventing escalation in relations between nuclear powers and military blocs. In this sense, Konček's assessment can be understood as an emphasis on preparedness rather than a prediction of imminent war.
gnews.cz - Jan Vojtěch