Czech president warns against 'Munich spirit' in peace talks on Ukraine

Czech President Petr Pavel has called for Europe to take a more active role in Ukraine peace negotiations, warning against a repeat of history where decisions are made about a country without its participation.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, Pavel stressed that any peace deal must include Ukraine and that Europe must be prepared to act independently if the United States pursues a different approach.

“We have realized that we can do a lot, whether together with our American allies or without them,” Pavel said, referencing the shifting stance of the U.S. under President Donald Trump.

“I am a strong supporter of a joint approach with the U.S. But if we find that their vision for resolving the war differs from ours and leaves us on the sidelines, we should act very decisively.”

Pavel cautioned that excluding Ukraine from peace talks would echo the 1938 Munich Agreement, in which European powers ceded parts of Czechoslovakia to Nazi Germany without Czechoslovak participation.

“If we are to take more responsibility for Ukraine and for Europe, we must be at the negotiating table. Otherwise, the ‘Munich spirit’ will resonate—a deal about a country without it,” he said.

The Czech president characterized the current moment as a decisive one for European security. He reiterated his support for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union and NATO, stating that if Ukraine meets the necessary conditions and the respective organizations agree, it should be granted membership.

“We are at a turning point. Europe can show that it is ready to take responsibility,” Pavel stated, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin is attempting to erase Ukraine from the world map. “The best approach is to tell Putin that any effort in that direction will fail.”

The panel discussion, titled Europe’s Support for Ukraine, also included Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, and Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), who is seen as a strong contender to become the next German chancellor.

Pavel underscored the need for Europe to present a unified stance on Ukraine, coordinating its position with both Kyiv and Washington.

“We must speak out, we must be confident,” he said, emphasizing the need for open and direct dialogue with the U.S.

Pavel’s remarks come as European leaders express concern over the Trump administration’s evolving stance on Ukraine. Earlier this week, Trump stated that he trusts Putin on the war in Ukraine and suggested the Russian president desires peace—a claim that many European officials view with skepticism.

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reaffirmed that Germany would never support a dictated peace that undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Pavel, who has been attending the conference since Friday, also held meetings on the sidelines with U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg and CDU leader Merz. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský is also present at the conference as part of the country’s delegation.