Context and signal
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki was received at the White House shortly after President Joe Biden’s historic visit to Warsaw and the confirmation of the policy of cooperation to stop Russian imperialism (“This war will not be Putin’s victory”). Vice President Kamala Harris did not spare the Polish Prime Minister for gestures to emphasize respect and warm words to Poland, including for helping Ukrainian refugees. This comes against the backdrop of President Macron’s visit to China and his shocking statements in our part of Europe about plans to gain Europe’s “strategic autonomy” from the United States. And also in the context of the concerns here in Washington about the attitude of countries like Brazil towards China. The signal is strong and, importantly, Morawiecki, who moved freely through the salons of the world and spoke good English, was also able to establish a good personal relationship with Vice President Harris.
Common interest
In these circumstances of increasing international tension, the Polish-American relationship becomes crucial for both countries. It becomes mutual. Poland is once again convinced that if there is a real threat to Berlin and Paris, the percentage cannot be counted. Too often selfishness reigns there or infantilism manifests itself in order to risk one’s own security by relying solely on European allies. A lasting, rock-solid alliance with the greatest democracy and military power in the world is necessary.
It seems that the United States today also understands that its interests in this part of Europe require a more reliable partner than Germany, or at least one that allows Berlin to keep it in check. The US increasingly sees Russia primarily as an ally of China – a state ruled by the communist party, which dreams of changing the world order.
The growing understanding of common interest in Washington is a real breakthrough that has taken place over the past year, thanks in part to the persistent work of the President, Prime Minister, Secretary of State and Defense. Of course, this does not remove the ideological differences between Prime Minister Jarosław Kaczyński’s camps and the American Democrats. However, common interests are so strong that differences fade into the background. Vice President Harris mentioned the visits of President Biden, her and her husband to Poland and stated:
These meetings confirm the very strong alliance between Poland and the United States. I could say that the strength of our relationship has grown steadily over the past few years, much to the delight of Americans.
Poland is a valuable ally, partner and friend; we have a lasting relationship based on common priorities and democratic values. I count on a further strengthening of relations between our countries.
Ukraine must win
In both Poland and the United States, there is no shortage of voices expressing war-weariness or cynically trying to profit from it politically, in line with Putin’s (Tusk) wishes. Fortunately, the dominant position in decision centers remains the same: this war must be won. Let’s quote Mateusz Morawiecki’s important words to Kamala Harris:
After the fall of communism, Russia lay in wait for nearly three decades, but the return of Russian imperialism heralds a new Cold War. If we do not defend Ukraine, we risk a conflict and a global crisis of unimaginable proportions.
Harris stressed that talks that had begun a year ago were continuing and devoted to coordinating post-Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Since then I have been in Warsaw in March 2022, where I received a hospitable welcome. At that time, we showed the world how strong our alliance is against Russia’s onslaught
– she said.
This is in line with announcements that more US military equipment will arrive for Poland and statements that the US military is and will be permanently present on Polish territory, providing a strong deterrent to a potential aggressor. Although, of course, real security is only provided by your own strong army plus proven alliances. In that order.
Poland is increasingly critical of China
In Washington, Prime Minister Morawiecki, in his statements to the Polish media following the meeting with Vice President Harris, emphasized the will to maintain good relations with China, complimenting their development and the strength of the economy. However, he immediately warned that “the transfer of weapons from China to Russia would cross a red line” and hoped that “Beijing will not resort to such an act”. He also spoke again about China’s extremely poor economic dependence on the West.
Unsurprisingly, this fits with the growing distance from Beijing’s actions and pronouncements, partly because of its flirtation with the ongoing barbaric attack on neighboring Moscow, but also because of its alliance with the US. I believe that we are consciously adopting an increasingly American perspective on this issue. The US goal is to maintain the stability of the current world security system while China tries to rebuild/destroy it, which would be deadly for Poland.
Attempted offensive
Let’s go back to Macron. When the French president talks about dreams of the de facto expulsion of Americans from Europe, which would mean for Poland and the entire region being extradited to Moscow and Berlin, Morawiecki makes a bold proposal to Washington to strengthen the transatlantic alliance.
I see no alternative to building an even closer alliance with the Americans. If the countries west of Poland understand it less, it is probably due to historical circumstances
said the prime minister. And further:
Poland proposes a strategic partnership at all possible levels with the United States. This is the best way for Poland for years to come.
These words are worth remembering. It could be argued that Warsaw, taking advantage of the shift in the center of gravity of the EU and NATO towards it, is launching a serious diplomatic offensive. The goal is to form a coalition for this kind of alliance, which is also in a sense a reaction to Macron’s stories and the German attempts to build a new European Empire.
So, despite the difficulties, we have a very strong alliance in extremely perilous times. Prime Minister Morawiecki’s visit, more than a year after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, summarizes the current state of cooperation in the fight against Eastern tyranny, but surprisingly it also opens new chapters in Polish-American cooperation . This is just the beginning.
Source: wPolityce