Petr Pavel: Russia is an aggressor who started a destructive war iRADIO

During the Second World War, millions of civilian lives were ruined and damages of unimaginable material value were caused because of the perverted ideology of racial superiority, Pavel said in the introduction.

According to him, thanks to those who actively resisted evil, future generations could live their lives in peace.

He characterized it as a historical paradox that the Soviet Union was then an essential part of the allied coalition in the fight against aggression, and now Russia itself has become the aggressor and has unleashed a war on the European continent, which will in no way match the Second World War’s destruction of lives and material values.

“We can see it every day for more than two years, how the conflict is developing against Ukraine,” he added.

On the other hand, the defeated, then Nazi Germany became, after deep reflection, a democratic country supporting peace and stability in Europe and helping in the wider area as well, Pavel said.

In his speech, he further emphasized the importance of the Czech Republic’s membership in the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO), which, according to him, achieved the highest security guarantees in history. This year, the Czech Republic is commemorating the 25th anniversary of joining the alliance.

Pavel also highlighted investments in defense and security. “Unfortunately, we do not live in a world that would be a safe place, and it is therefore important that we see these expenses, even if they are not small, as an investment in our safety and that of our children,” the president added.

According to the law approved last year, the Czech Republic will spend at least two percent of the gross domestic product on defense every year.

Piety

The commemorative event in Vítkov began with a military parade. The central music of the army played the national anthem, then the soldiers brought historical banners to the tunes of the Hussite chant.

As every year, soldiers, castle guards, representatives of veterans, churches and state representatives took part in the piety. And for the second time as president of the republic and at the same time commander of the armed forces of the Czech Republic, also Petr Pavel. Dozens of spectators also came to watch the ceremony.

Pavel was the first to lay a wreath at the grave of the unknown soldier, after him the President of the Senate Miloš Vystrčil (ODS), the Speaker of the House of Representatives Markéta Pekarová Adamová (TOP 09) and Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS) came to pay their respects.

This was followed by Minister of Defense Jana Černochová (ODS) and Chief of the General Staff Karel Řehka, Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda (ODS) and church representatives.

Representatives of the opposition Karel Havlíček and former Minister of Defense Lubomír Metnar (both ANO) also arrived at the piet.

Havlíček said that every war ends in peace. “Negotiations must be made and it is, of course, up to the great powers, even though the Czech Republic is part of the strong grouping of the European Union, it is about the United States. And together with Ukraine, the war must end with peace negotiations. I think that Ukraine is also leaning towards the fact that negotiations are necessary. We are convinced that the sooner the negotiations take place, the better position Ukraine will prepare for ending the conflict,” he told reporters.

Veterans, representatives of veteran associations and falconers also came. Military fighter jets and helicopters flew over Vítkov, the army showed two relatively new helicopters, Venom and Viper, for the first time.

Kristýna Vašíčková, CTK

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