Czech PM Andrej Babis reiterates importance of NATO for his country but rejects calls to increase defense spending

The Czech Republic "must remain committed to increasing defense spending," Matthew Whitaker, the US envoy to NATO , demanded in Prague last week. "We ⁠expect our allies to step up," he said.

The call is nothing new. As warnings about the threat emanating from Russia increase, and Washington demands European allies take greater responsibility for security, NATO has raised its target for defense spending from 2% to 3.5% of GDP, and pressure on those lagging is rising.

Czechia, alongside Slovenia and Albania , has yet to meet the old target. But Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis , whose government cut the defense budget for 2026 to around 1.7% of GDP when it took office late last year, pushed back against the latest barb from Washington.

While reiterating that NATO membership is crucial for Czechia, the premier bluntly stated that the government cannot afford to accelerate spending. He has pledged to hit the 2% target in 2027 but plans no further increases.

That leaves the populist billionaire hoping that a personal rapport with US President Donald Trump will protect the country amid the burgeoning row.

Whether Trump will protect Czechia from the threat of Russian hybrid warfare targeting Central European NATO allies is another question.

A growing wave of stray drones and Russian intelligence operations — suspected bombings, sabotage and cyber warfare — have spread alarm in the neighborhood.

Germany and Poland — key Czech partners — have reported high-profile incidents and linked them to attempts to intimidate Ukrainian allies.