Will the Czechs reduce defense spending? The US ambassador criticizes the plans

US ambassador in Prague Nicholas Merrick criticized the reduction in defense spending announced by the Czech government. “Allies must keep their commitments,” the ambassador said on Thursday. The draft Czech budget for 2026 assumes a decline in military spending to approximately 1.8%. GDP.

Czech President Petr Pavel, in turn, emphasized that strengthening defense does not mean preparations for war.

The ambassador and the president spoke at the conference “Our security is not obvious”, one of the topics of which was the Czech attitude towards defense spending.

Since the government of Andrej Babis does not plan to maintain the growth rate of these expenditures at the level declared at the NATO summit in 2025, the US ambassador warned that the Czech Republic may not fulfill its obligations to NATO. According to Merrick, the country may be among the countries with the lowest level of defense expenditure in relation to GDP in Europe.

In 2024, the Czech Republic spent the equivalent of over 2% on defense for the first time. GDP (approx. 2.09 percent of this indicator). In 2025, spending was maintained at around 2%. GDP. After the elections in autumn 2025 and the formation of the Babiš government The draft budget for 2026 assumes a decline in military spending to approximately 1.8%. GDP. The draft budget is still being considered by the parliament.

– If the Czech Republic does not fulfill its obligations, it will affect the entire Alliance. And I don't need to remind you how important it is that allies keep their commitments, said Ambassador Merrick. He recalled that NATO countries agreed to increase defense spending to 3.5%. GDP by 2035 and allocating another 1.5 percent GDP for additional security investments. He emphasized that this is not a unilateral requirement of the United States, but a joint decision of the allies.

– This is not someone's whim or the signature of one government that can be easily revoked. It is an agreement between sovereign allies, each of which relies on the others, noted the American diplomat.

Babisz defends reducing defense spending

Czech President Pavel also spoke at the conference about the need for a long-term approach to security. In his opinion, strengthening defense capabilities is not preparation for war, but an investment in the future.

Pavel recalled that the United States had repeatedly persuaded Europe to take greater responsibility for its own security. – However, we succumbed to the temptation to postpone difficult decisions. Much of Europe has had this approach for years, with the exception of Poland or the Baltic countries, which perceived the reality of security much more soberly, he emphasized.

Babisz defends the reduction in defense spending and emphasizes that the amount allocated for this purpose is the maximum within the country's current capabilities. The Prime Minister also accuses the politicians of the previous cabinet, who are currently in the opposition, for “only dealing with the war, only with Ukraine”, while he deals with the everyday life of Czechs.

From Prague Piotr Górecki (PAP)

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