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Russia’s Next War Could Target Europe in Just a Few Years, Czech General Says
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Europe’s security is facing its most serious test in decades, and the threat is unlikely to ease anytime soon, the chief of the Czech Army General Staff warned in a stark assessment of Russia’s future ambitions, according to Czech General Karel Řehka, as reported by Aktuálně on March 1.
Citing allied intelligence assessments, the general noted that Moscow could initiate a broader military conflict on the European continent within the next three to six years.
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“The security situation is not simple and will not improve in the near future. Russia’s aggressive policy in the coming years will be a direct and very concrete threat to the citizens of the Czech Republic and to the security of the entire European continent,” the general said.
Řehka pointed to intelligence shared among allied services, indicating that the Kremlin may be preparing for the possibility of another war in Europe within that timeframe.
He also stressed that Russia’s ambitions extend beyond Ukraine, arguing that the world should be preparing for a prolonged confrontation—“which likely will not end even if a temporary ceasefire is achieved.”
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“An armed conflict in Europe is not impossible, and its probability is inversely proportional to our determination to defend ourselves and to invest in defense and unity with our allies,” Řehka added.
The general warned that time to prepare is shrinking, saying Russia could be ready to act within three to six years. He suggested that Moscow’s strategy involves weakening and dividing European nations before any overt military move.
“When it comes to our own future—and this also concerns Ukraine—Russia will try to divide, fragment, and paralyze us at the social and political level before resorting to military instruments. This is their proven doctrine, and our society must begin preparing for it,” he said.
In remarks delivered at the Czech Ministry of Defense, Řehka also described what he sees as the most dangerous scenario: Russia coming to believe that the United States is disengaging from Europe and that European countries are divided and weak.
“That could lead to a miscalculation, the consequences of which none of us can predict. The most important question is whether we allow Russia to believe in that narrative, or whether we disprove it through real actions,” he warned.
Across Europe, governments have been increasing defense spending and accelerating military modernization programs as tensions with Moscow continue. Several NATO members have moved toward significantly higher defense budgets, in some cases approaching 5% of GDP, while defense industries across the continent are expanding production capacity.
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At the same time, Washington has made clear that European allies must take greater responsibility for their own security architecture—a shift that adds urgency to ongoing debates about Europe’s readiness in the face of a potential future conflict.
Earlier, a new briefing prepared for the US Congress concluded that Minsk has effectively been absorbed into Russia’s military posture in Eastern Europe, reshaping the security environment along NATO’s eastern flank and shortening warning times for allied defenses.
Analysts argue that this shift became irreversible once Minsk allowed Russian forces to launch attacks on Ukraine from Belarusian territory during the opening phase of the 2022 invasion.
Since then, Russia has retained sustained access to Belarusian bases, airspace, and logistical corridors, enabling repeated deployments, strikes, and force rotations.
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-c439b7bd9030ecf9d5a4287dc361ba31.jpg "Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko")
