The presence of NATO troops in Ukraine would not violate international norms — Pavel

The presence of NATO troops providing direct support on the territory of Ukraine would not violate any international norms, according to Czech President Petr Pavel. In an interview with Czech television, he emphasized the importance of distinguishing between the deployment of combat units and potential involvement in specific «support» activities, which NATO has previously undertaken.

Pavel highlighted the historical context, pointing out that after the annexation of Crimea and the occupation of part of Donbas, NATO conducted a training mission on Ukrainian territory involving over 15 countries and around 1,000 personnel.

From the perspective of international law and the UN Charter, Pavel argued that nothing prevents NATO troops, as well as civilians, from assisting in Ukraine. He suggested the possibility of sending a limited number of instructors to Ukraine for training instead of conducting such activities in NATO member states.

Pavel also addressed Russia’s warning that anyone providing assistance to Ukraine would be a legitimate target. He argued that current support, including the supply of weapons and equipment, has not prompted attacks on NATO territory. He asserted that Russia is aware of NATO’s strength, and Western allies should defend their activities legally.

The Czech president’s comments come after French President Emmanuel Macron suggested the possibility of deploying Western troops to Ukraine in the future. However, there is currently no consensus among NATO allies on this matter. Several countries, including the Czech Republic, Poland, Sweden, Germany, and the United States, have indicated that they are not considering sending their troops to Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg clarified that the Alliance has no plans to send troops to Ukraine, while the EU expressed consensus among member states to provide necessary assistance without military deployment. Russian President Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, warned that the presence of NATO troops in Ukraine would lead to a direct conflict between the Alliance and Russia.