Petr Pavel's European values
Like Army Chief of Staff Karel Řehka, Pres. Petr Pavel is a product of the American structures that Donald Trump is taking action against. Pavel launched his bid for the presidency in 2015 with the help of the European Values Initiative of the European Values think tank, which is funded by USAID, the U.S. embassy, the National Endowment for Democracy and other U.S.-backed sources. An attack by Elon Musk on U.S. foreign aid is therefore an attack on Pavel's people and their values. Pavel spoke out against Trump in the Czech presidential campaign and hasn't let up since. Yesterday he said it took a great deal of cynicism for Trump to call Volodymyr Zelensky a dictator. Pavel seems to be closing the door to working with Trump. However, Janan Ganesh of the FT said that Trump might prefer former detractors who bend the knee to him over faithful, longtime fans. In Pavel's case, groveling is probably out of the question at least until his values are tested again in this year's parliamentary elections.
Glossary of difficult words
to let up - to relax one's efforts;detractor - someone who criticizes or disparages something or someone, often unfairly;
to bend the knee - to kneel down or submit;
to grovel - to act obsequiously in order to obtain forgiveness or favor.