The Czech Republic stands ready to consider other options to extend the Althea European military mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina if Russia blocks this at the UN Security Council, Defence Minister Jana Cernochová said in Prague on Friday.

We are waiting for Russia's position. We will do everything for the mission to continue. We are ready to increase the number of troops and ensure a new mandate under the aegis of the UN. If that won't be possible, we have other options ready, she told Brussels correspondents visiting Prague on the occasion of the Czech Republic's takeover of the rotating Council of the EU presidency.

Althea's current mandate ends in early November. The West fears Russia might vote against extending it, which could jeopardise stability and peace in BiH.

Last month, the German government approved sending up to 50 Bundeswher personnel to BiH, who would be deployed there for the first time since 2012. The decision needs to be approved by the Bundestag.

The BiH Presidency's Serb member, Milorad Dodik, opposed that possibility, saying he had no trust in Germany's military representation.

Last month, after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Dodik said he would ask Russia to support extending the Althea mandate in its extant form, without any expansion.