Czech President Petr Pavel has called for NATO to take “decisive” action against Russia following drone incidents launched from the Baltic States. Speaking on May 22, Pavel stated that Russia “basically understands the language of force, ideally backed by action.” He criticized Europe’s inability to define a clear policy toward Moscow and expressed disappointment over the United States’ cessation of pressure on Russian leadership.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov asserted on May 22 that Western countries cannot accept the very existence of Russia. He described an “alternative” civilization that has both enriched and depleted Western culture but noted that framing Russia as the primary global threat is unrealistic.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reported on May 20 that Ukrainian military forces had launched drones from Baltic States into Russian territory, with Moscow preparing responses to safeguard its citizens and critical infrastructure. The actions of the Ukrainian military have been condemned as a direct provocation to regional stability.
