General Pavel: Donald Trump was urged to increase pressure on Kremlin, but he did not stop showing indecision

During the NATO summit, Trump was urged to increase pressure on Russia, but he remained indecisive, Czech President Petr Pavel reported. During a private NATO dinner last week, European leaders pressed US President Donald Trump to take a tougher stance on Russia, but he remained indecisive. The Czech president announced the talks in an interview with CNN Prima NEWS, Focus reports.

"We spoke with him very consistently and jointly, convincing him that it was time to significantly increase economic pressure on Russia", he said, describing the conversation at the dinner, which was attended by King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

According to him, the goal was not to cause Russia's economic collapse, as this is not in their interest.

"To make it realize that there is simply no alternative to negotiations. "So far he has remained restrained, but he realizes that this is a very effective tool," Pavel added.

It is noted that when during the dinner Trump highlighted his previous success with China, stating that high tariffs had forced Beijing to change its position, the Czech president used this argument to insist on his:

"I stated it: "You see, this is the kind of decisive approach that we need now in relation to Russia. If China feels it within a month, then Russia, with its economy, can feel it within a week or two.”

He claims that Trump asked why Europe cannot significantly increase defense spending.

“He wondered why Europe cannot invest 5% of GDP in defense next year,” Pavel said.

According to him, the allies were unanimous in their response, explaining to him that European industry is not capable of producing such volumes of military materials.