V4 states diverge on citizens' defence readiness after Russia's invasion of Ukraine (visegradinsight.eu)

• Visegrad Insight analysis by defence sociologist Weronika Grzebalska, published 28 August 2025.
• V4 societies (Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia) present starkly different defence postures.
• EU context: ReArm Europe Plan on hard defence, Preparedness Union Strategy on whole-of-society resilience.

"Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has prompted military rearmament across Central Europe and forced Visegrad Group countries to ask what role citizens should play in defence and deterrence. Writing for Visegrad Insight, defence sociologist Weronika Grzebalska argues that the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia present starkly different defence postures. At EU level, the ReArm Europe Plan coordinates hard-defence capability while the Preparedness Union Strategy promotes a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach to resilience. The analysis, published on 28 August 2025, focuses on whether divided V4 societies are ready to support national defence in practice."