In a long interview with Wirtualna Polska, former Chief of General Staff of the Polish Army, General Raimund Andrzejczak, reflects on how Western nations perceived Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Gulf War. He argues that Western policymakers did not fully grasp Moscow’s strategic aims in the immediate post‑Cold War era, a misreading he believes helped shape a period of unsettling misalignment between Western alliances and Russian objectives. (Wirtualna Polska)
Andrzejczak points out that, after 1991, the geopolitical map shifted decisively: the Soviet Union vanished from the world’s political lineup, while China had not yet emerged as a global counterbalance on the scale that would later redefine power dynamics. In this vacuum, globalization accelerated, and the United States appeared to gain distinct advantages on the world stage. The former general suggests that such shifts gave rise to a perception of stability, even a sense that major powers might be converging into a shared, somewhat complacent club. The reality, he argues, was more fragile than it appeared, and the underlying tensions persisted beneath the surface. (Wirtualna Polska)
Andrzejczak further contends that peace processes and conflict management in the ensuing years were undermined by misread signals. He indicates that it was possible to misinterpret Russia’s strategic posture as peripheral or less threatening than it actually was, a miscalculation that had consequences for regional security. In his assessment, Moscow’s actions in various theaters should be viewed through a longer lens, at least over the past decade, to better understand the continuity and evolution of its approach to perceived rivals and regional influence. (Wirtualna Polska)
The discussion also touches on historical milestones where engagement and restraint could have altered the trajectory of regional conflicts. Andrzejczak notes Russia’s interventions in the early 2000s, including those connected to Georgia and South Ossetia, and the 2014 annexation of Crimea, as events that drew a line under which Western responses did not align with Moscow’s escalating assertiveness. He argues that the international community should reexamine these episodes with clear, long‑term perspectives rather than focusing solely on immediate outcomes. (Wirtualna Polska)
Separately, Josep Borrell, who has chaired the European Union’s diplomatic efforts, has repeatedly warned that the EU should expect prolonged tensions with Russia. He emphasizes that the path to stability cannot be found by short‑term measures or by postponing difficult decisions. The EU’s approach, in his view, must balance deterrence with dialogue, ensuring that alliances remain resilient while seeking practical, enduring solutions. (Borrell)
In related remarks, Borrell has also cautioned against the idea that withholding military aid to Ukraine would magically produce peace. He argues that peace is unlikely to emerge if support for Ukraine is suddenly withdrawn, underscoring the need for a strategic and sustained commitment to regional security and the protection of international norms. (Borrell)