Pavel at the UN: Russian aggression is a direct threat to security across Europe

Czech President Petr Pavel delivered his national address at the UN General Assembly in New York, stating that Russia's aggressive posture poses a direct threat to the security of the whole of Europe, with risks to the continent growing by the day. He also called for reform of the UN and confirmed that the Czech Republic intends to seek a non-permanent seat on the Security Council.

According to Pavel, the postwar international system is undergoing profound changes, and the task of the world order is not to resist these shifts but to manage them peacefully. The president urged world leaders to push Russia and China toward greater accountability for the use of force, adding that "when rules are cast aside, brute force fills the vacuum."

China must influence Moscow

Pavel said China should use its influence to help end Russian aggression against Ukraine — a conflict, he noted, that Russia started and continues to wage as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, in violation of the UN Charter and basic principles of international law. The president reminded delegates that the war is causing immense suffering for Ukrainians and poses a direct threat to European security.

As a vivid illustration of the growing danger, he cited the recent attempted drone attack by Russia on Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany — just 150 kilometers from the Czech border. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk had earlier warned, citing intelligence sources, of Russian plans to carry out hybrid attacks using drones and missiles against countries supporting Ukraine; Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has also spoken of hybrid warfare.

The consequences of the war, Pavel noted, extend far beyond Europe: Russian aggression has undermined global food security by disrupting agricultural production, exports and supply chains — an impact felt especially hard in parts of Africa. At the same time, the president stressed: "Serious diplomatic efforts must be given a real chance," since the UN remains the platform for dialogue between adversaries, even when agreement seems far off.

Czech Republic seeks Security Council seat

Pavel thanked outgoing UN Secretary-General António Guterres and said the next secretary-general will need to adapt the organization to a world of intensifying geopolitical rivalry. He confirmed that the Czech Republic is seeking a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2032–2033 and, if elected, would take an active part in its work. Both the president and Foreign Minister Petr Macinka sought support for the Czech bid while in New York.

The risks of artificial intelligence

Pavel also addressed the threats posed by rapid technological development, particularly artificial intelligence. He said AI could bring enormous benefits to humanity, but without effective safeguards it could also cause tremendous harm: "People must control technology, not the other way around." He warned against an uncontrolled race in this field, where haste pushes safety and responsibility into the background, drawing a parallel with the Manhattan Project — the creation of the first atomic bomb more than 80 years ago, when scientific breakthrough outpaced political regulation.

The president also touched on climate change, noting that in some regions it threatens housing, public health, and food and water security, with the most vulnerable groups suffering the most. Closing his address, Pavel called for greater dialogue and collective action, stressing that no single country can solve most global challenges alone.

The president has been in New York since Monday; the delegation also includes Foreign Minister and leader of the Motorists party Petr Macinka, with whom the head of state has had long-standing disagreements — though tensions between the two politicians are said to be easing. More than 130 presidents and prime ministers from around the world gathered in New York for the General Assembly session; Pavel met, among others, with Guterres and Slovak President Peter Pellegrini.

Source: seznamzpravy.cz