This year is crucial for the development of the war, as support for Ukraine will decrease over time — President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, in an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung.

"Next year, elections will be held in the United States. The interest of American voters will be focused on domestic politics and foreign policy, at best, on the showdown with China. If US support declines, so will the support of several European countries. Ukraine should take this into account. Next year, it probably won't be able to embark on a large and expensive operation," said Petr Pavel.

The President also noted that the Czech Republic was exhausting its possibilities to help Ukraine.

"We not only supplied what we could from our stocks but also bought material from abroad. As a result, we sell almost nothing from our stocks," Pavel said. 

He noted that the Czech Republic still has capacities and air defence and ammunition stocks. There are production facilities, but a lack of workers limits them. In this context, there are opportunities for workers from Ukraine.

Answering the question about what security guarantees Ukraine needs, the Czech President said that it is NATO membership. However, there is no unequivocal support for Ukraine's rapid accession from member states. 

The main obstacle is the ongoing conflict. However, even after the war, it will be challenging to find a consensus, and many members will see Ukraine as a burden.

"Ukraine's path to Europe should be through rapid rapprochement with the European Union and only then with the security forces. I think this is the right order," said Pavel.