Over Half of Czechs Not Willing to Defend Their Country If Necessary - Poll

"More than half of people in the Czech Republic are not prepared to defend their country if necessary, according to a survey by NMS Market Research.

The Nation's Memory survey conducted by NMS Market Research revealed that four-fifths of Czechs believe that the security situation in Europe has worsened due to the conflict in Ukraine. Two-thirds of respondents fear that the conflict will escalate beyond Ukraine's borders. Most worryingly, more than half of Czechs would not be willing to protect their country if necessary. Only two out of ten respondents have a positive view of the country's military preparedness. At the same time, only 29% of respondents are ready to take part in the defense of the country, with 19% unable to give a clear answer, the Tuesday survey reads.
In addition, respondents from the country's opposition are five times less supportive of Ukraine and twice as unwilling to defend the Czech Republic as supporters of the ruling party. Some 67% of respondents believe that NATO membership strengthens the country's defense capabilities, while the same percentage believe that Prague must enter a conflict if a member of the alliance is threatened. Two-thirds of respondents believe that NATO would provide direct military support to the country in the event of a direct threat, according to the survey.
Some 94% of respondents fear an escalation of the conflict in Ukraine." Sputnik