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Countries around Ukraine prepare for a possible war in Eastern Europe
Around Ukraine, neighboring countries are preparing for a possible war in Eastern Europe.
From Hungary, the Defense Minister, Tibor Benko, mobilized troops to the east of the country, complying with the measures of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who assured that protecting the borders from possible attacks is just as important as the humanitarian aid that goes to provide to the displaced.
Due to the growing concern that the conflict on Ukrainian soil will escalate and reach the west of the country, Benko has considered that Hungary must prepare itself to receive the refugees.
The Hungarian armed forces have two clear missions: to provide all humanitarian aid to the displaced and to guard the borders so that no armed group enters the country.
Through a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky, Obán expressed his full support for Ukraine.
Likewise, the Hungarian Prime Minister assured that, as always, he supports the freedom, independence and sovereignty of Ukraine and will join the joint action established by the European Union to reduce the conflict.
Bill in Poland
For its part, the Polish government approved a bill for “national defense”, which consists in the rapid reinforcement of Polish forces on Ukrainian territory.
However, this law must be debated and subsequently approved by the parliament, if its approval is confirmed, the flow of the Polish budget for defense will be accelerated.
The Polish Defense Minister, Mariusz Błaszczak, assured that this law would facilitate defense spending to allow the increase of his troops.
Likewise, he guaranteed that the main objective of this law is deterrence against a potential aggressor.
Apart from increasing the flow of defense spending, the law promotes voluntary military service for young Poles.
Crisis Cabinet in Austria
In the midst of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Austria installed a crisis cabinet to allow the Austrian government to make quick decisions in case the conflict on Ukrainian soil permeates its borders.
This crisis cabinet only deals with the issue of Ukraine with the ministerial front of the most vulnerable areas, from Defense and Economy to Foreign Affairs and Energy.
Likewise, defense experts and members of parliamentary groups will explore the measures to be taken quickly to deal with possible scenarios.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer assured that with each passing hour, the situation in Ukraine is deteriorating more and more, and the possibilities of a war on the European continent are "worryingly more and more real".
Nehammer pointed out that the goal of all European leaders is to avoid a war and keep all affected parties within the diplomatic margin.
On the other hand, the Austrian Chancellor announced that if Russia insists on an invading action against Ukraine, the National Security Council will be convened.
Recruitment acceleration in the Czech Republic
Aleš Opata, head of the Czech army, warned that the events in Ukraine guarantee that Europe will not be a safe place within the next few years. In addition, he added that the Czech Republic cannot maintain neutrality as if this conflict did not affect them.
NATO has shown its dissatisfaction with the Czech armed forces' passivity towards modernization and its failure to acquire combat vehicles.
These contracts were delayed for many years as a result of changes to the defense budget by the new government cabinet, which Opata has labeled a "mistake."
For his part, Opata has requested the acceleration of the recruitment of soldiers and the acquisition of defense materials so that the country "stops breaching its agreements with NATO."
In this context, the president of the congress, Markéta Pekarová, supported Opata's statements, posting on her Twitter that, had it not belonged to the Atlantic Alliance, the Czech Republic would be submerged in the same scenario as Ukraine.
Arms embargo on Ukraine
In northern Europe, Sweden and Finland, which are traditionally pacifists, have sparked a debate over a military arms embargo on Ukraine.
The congress of these countries have as a law the prohibition of arms exports to countries at war or that violate fundamental rights.
However, the exception seems to be gaining ground, since the escalation of the crisis in Ukraine may generate large-scale conflicts throughout Europe.
