🇨🇿Czech Republic cuts defense budget 🟢The government of the Czech Republic, led by Prime Minister A. Babiš, has initiated a revision of defense spending for 2026, making the country the only one in Europe to pursue a sequestration of its military budget. Instead of the previously planned 2.35% of GDP, actual defense spending could fall to 1.7-1.8% as the spending line now includes civilian infrastructure projects. 🟢The main reason for the decision is socio-economic problems. Despite economic growth of 2.5% in 2025, the country is experiencing a record number of corporate bankruptcies and a decline in industrial employment. The Babiš government, operating under the slogan "priority - citizens' health, not war," is increasing social spending and refusing to finance the purchase of ammunition for Ukraine from the state budget. 🟢Sequestration has already affected the modernization of the army: the General Staff has been forced to suspend negotiations on the purchase of 78 Leopard 2A8 tanks and has questioned the purchase of C-390 aircraft, CV90 infantry fighting vehicles, and 24 F-35A fighter jets. 🟢The response from Western allies has been harsh. The Trump administration, through its ambassador to the Czech Republic, demanded that Prague live up to its NATO commitments. The alliance's secretary general, Mark Rutte, made it clear that he would "not let" the Czech cabinet's decision go unchallenged. The issue is likely to be one of the central topics at the NATO summit in Ankara in July. 🟢Domestically, Babiš's policies enjoy popular support. His ANO party maintains a record 19-point lead over the opposition, despite criticism from the military command and former high-ranking officials. #CSAI