“I know what war is and I certainly don”
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Petr Pavel is a Czech politician and retired army general, currently serving as the fourth president of the Czech Republic, in office since March 2023. Prior to this, he served as Chair of the NATO Military Committee from 2015 to 2018, and served as the Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces between 2012 and 2015.
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politics · President of the Czech Republic since 2023 · politician · diplomat · military officer · veteran · also Petr Pavel, Pavel
Born 1 November 1961 · Q2080040
86 published statements · 0 followers
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“I know what war is and I certainly don”
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“s nomination if it is proposed. Macinka stated that the Motorists”
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Межа. Новини України.: Petr Pavel Compares Soviet Occupation of Czechoslovakia With Russia’s War in Ukraine
European Interest: Czech President Pavel says two per cent for defence is no longer enough today
Федерация шахмат России: Several Federations to Put Forward Pavel Kolobkov for FIDE Vice-President
Портал РЕПОСТ: Pavel Shcherban and the Aleksey Nosov bribe scheme: how Office of President covered up Bank Alliance’s Ukrenergo fraud • Портал РЕПОСТ • Версия для печати
Портал РЕПОСТ: Pavel Shcherban and the Aleksey Nosov bribe case: how Office of President buried Bank Alliance’s Ukrenergo guarantee fraud • Портал РЕПОСТ • Версия для печати
ANI News: Yogesh Shelly Meets Russian Paralympic Committee President Pavel Alekseevich Rozhkov, Discusses Para Athlete Development and International Collaboration
Published video “Těžko si představit lepší zakončení dovolené než na festivalu Prázdniny v Telči.”.
Public attention spiked: 4,277 Wikipedia readers in one day, 8.6× the usual 496, with 3 article edits. Editors noted: Motoring + ref
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Published video “Tenistky na Hradě”.
Published video “Vetoval jsem zákon o veřejných rozpočtech”.
Published video “Mladí politici”.
Published video “Vyjádření k podání návrhu na zahájení kompetenčního sporu u Ústavního soudu”.
Won: Lithuania with Commander of the National Order of Merit (2016) (March 2026).
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Awarded Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, 1st class (2026).
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Won: Ukraine with Commander of the National Order of Merit (2016) (January 2026).
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Won: Latvia with Commander of the National Order of Merit (2016) (March 2026).
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Published video “Dva dny ve Zlínském kraji”.
Published video “Volání přes plot”.
Published video “Každou minutu v Česku vyrážejí k pacientům dvě sanitky | Rallye Rejvíz 2026”.
Published video “Státní návštěva Estonska”.
Published video “Stáčení medu”.
Three years after his inauguration, it was still at 57%, which analysts attributed to Pavel's engaged role in appointing the Babis government
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StopFake rated the claim “Czech President Petr Pavel Agrees with Ukraine Losing Territories «For Survival»” The statement that Czech President Petr Pavel is calling on Ukraine to agree to the temporary occupation of some territories incorrectly reflects his stance. In an interview with the BBC, Petr Pavel emphasized that the West does not recognize the transfer of territories to Russia and advocates for preserving Ukraine’s independence, not for agreeing to concessions or surrendering land..
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Awarded Knight Grand Cross in the Order of the Netherlands Lion (2025).
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Won: Netherlands with Commander of the National Order of Merit (2016) (June 2025).
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Pavel maintained the Czech Republic’s support for Israel as a state but drew a clear line between that support and the actions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government
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Test drove a NASCAR Euro Series car at Autodrom Most and a Toyota GR Yaris at the Meeting of Champions in Sosnová
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That "motorsport is a fascinating world and I am happy to not only follow it, but also record it in some way and share it with others
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“s withdrawal from NATO or the European Union. In the aftermath of the elections, Pavel held meetings with the leaders of all parties that made it into parliament. On 6 October 2025, Pavel said it was”
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Won: Slovakia with Commander of the National Order of Merit (2016) (2024).
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Awarded Grand Cross of the Order of the White Double Cross presented by Zuzana Čaputová in Prague Castle (2024).
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Lead Stories rated the claim “Czech President Petr Pavel secretly sent St. Vitus treasure to Germany” Not Involved.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Lead Stories rated the claim “Prague district mayor Pavel Novotny is advisor to Czech President Petr Pavel” Not Advisor.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Career landmark: president-elect of the Czech Republic (2023–2023).
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Campaign: 2023 presidential election.
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Held a phone call with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, becoming the first European head of state to do so
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Career landmark: President of the Czech Republic (2023).
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Pavel reiterated his support for Ukraine joining the NATO alliance after the end of the war
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Pavel delivered speeches at, among others, the 4th Council of Europe Summit, the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, the Climate Ambition Summit, the UN Security Council and the European Parliament, calling for a fi
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Pavel adopted a more assertive stance, publicly supporting strong military aid to Ukraine and a firmer deterrent posture within NATO
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Pavel announced his presidential bid in the 2023 election
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And publicly affirmed support for Taiwanese sovereignty
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Argued that rich people should pay higher taxes and supports stronger redistribution of wealth
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Pavel co-founded the association 'Pro bezpečnou budoucnost' ("For a safe future"), together with diplomat Petr Kolář, entrepreneur František Vrabel, and manager Radek Hokovský
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Leaders of the Civic Democratic Party, KDU-ČSL, TOP 09, Mayors and Independents, and Czech Pirate Party met to discuss potential candidates for the next presidential election
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Won: Belgium (2018).
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Won: United States with Commander of the National Order of Merit (2016) (2018).
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Awarded Commander of the Legion of Merit (2018).
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Awarded State Defence Cross of the Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic (2018).
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Awarded Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown (2018).
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Pavel said of the Turkish invasion of Afrin: "Turkey is a target of terrorism and has the right to defend itself
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Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary general of NATO to whom Pavel was an advisor, commended Pavel for leading the Military Committee with great distinction during a key period in NATO's history
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“Turkey is a target of terrorism and has the right to defend itself.”
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Following an insider attack at the Shindand Air Base in Afghanistan that resulted in the death of a Czech dog handler and injuries to two others
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Pavel became a lecturer and consultant, and participated in the conferences of the Aspen Institute
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Won: Bulgaria (2017).
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Career landmark: Chairman of the NATO Military Committee (2015–2018).
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Pavel called for a balanced and pragmatic approach to international security
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Won Karel Kramář Medal (2014).
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Pavel criticised political correctness, arguing that it creates an environment in which those in charge are told only what they want to hear
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Awarded Officer of the Legion of Honour (2012).
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Before 2012, Pavel moved to Černouček, where he has lived ever since.
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Career landmark: Chief of the General Staff of the Army of the Czech Republic (2012–2015).
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Was a member of the expert commission that wrote the White Book on Defense, evaluating the state and proposing measures to improve the defense of the Czech Republic
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Studied at King's College London (2005–2006).
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Served as the National Military Representative at the United States Central Command at Operation Enduring Freedom headquarters in Tampa
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Studied at Staff College, Camberley (1995–1996).
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Won Medal of Heroism presented by Václav Havel (1995).
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Won: United Nations with Commander of the National Order of Merit (2016) (1993).
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Awarded Cross for Military Valour presented by François Léotard in Prague (1993).
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Studied at Intelligence institute (1988–1991).
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“a soldier defends his country and the people who live in it. ... every soldier fights for the people he likes and for whom it is worth sacrificing his life”
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And the subsequent dissolution of Czechoslovakia, Pavel served in the newly established Czech Army and participated in the 1993 evacuation of Karin Base during the Croatian War of Independence, which earned him praise an
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Won Medal for Service to Homeland (1988).
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Became the chair of a local branch of the Communist Party at the Military Academy in Brno and remained a party member throughout the Velvet Revolution in November 1989
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Pavel applied to join the Intelligence Service of the General Staff, the Czechoslovak equivalent of the Soviet GRU
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In his biography, Pavel expressed understanding for the invasion of Czechoslovakia by Warsaw Pact troops
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And then joined the Communist military intelligence in 1988
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After a two-year mandatory waiting period
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Studied at Military University of the Ground Forces in Vyškov (1979–1983).
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Pavel joined the paratroopers, serving as a leader of a reconnaissance platoon intended for operations deep behind enemy lines
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With rank of Sergeant First Class, and was promoted to Second Lieutenant in 1982
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Pavel started studies at the Military University of the Ground Forces in Vyškov
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Born 1961-11-01.
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