“THE GATES OF HELL”—CZECH PM WARNS UKRAINE WAR COULD SPREAD FURTHER
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has called for Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin to sit at the negotiating table, warning that the continuing war of attrition is pushing the world closer to a wider conflict.
“This leads directly to the gates of hell. It is leading us toward a third world war,” Babiš said during a defense summit in Prague.
He described diplomacy as the only way forward, but also made clear that Putin is the aggressor and that Russia’s actions remain unacceptable. However, Babiš did not explain what conditions should govern negotiations, whether Russia would first be required to stop its attacks or how any agreement would be enforced.
That distinction matters. Ukraine has repeatedly said it is prepared for serious diplomacy, and Zelenskyy has already offered to meet Putin in a neutral country. Moscow rejected that proposal while continuing to demand Ukrainian territory and launching attacks across the country. Bringing both leaders to a table is only the beginning; the terms, security guarantees and consequences for violations determine whether talks create peace or merely give Russia time to prepare again.
Babiš also supported Zelenskyy’s warning about the growing ballistic-missile threat and proposed a joint European missile-defense system known as “Euro-Patriot.” His proposal would combine licensed Patriot production in Europe, Ukraine’s battlefield experience and the eventual development of a European-designed defense system
His remarks follow a growing trend among European leaders who are speaking more frequently and urgently about where this war could lead. Some emphasize negotiations, while others call for rearmament and stronger deterrence. Babiš did both: warning that diplomacy is necessary while acknowledging that Europe must possess the strength to protect itself.
As tensions continue to mount beyond Ukraine’s borders, European leaders are increasingly recognizing the same uncomfortable reality: the war cannot be ignored, but peace cannot be built on Putin’s promises alone.