In a recent address at the European Parliament, former Prime Minister and long-time PiS MEP Beata Szydło urged Europe to reflect on its approach to Russia. She argued that the continent did not draw the necessary conclusions after Russia’s attacks, notably those on Georgia in 2008 and the events of 2014. Szydło stressed that continued support for Ukraine is essential and that Europe must extract lessons to prevent such monstrous aggression from recurring in the future.
The former Prime Minister recalls the warning echoed by Lech Kaczyński
She recalled the warnings that preceded the Russian invasion of Ukraine, noting that in 2008 Polish President Lech Kaczyński stated in Tbilisi that if Georgia faced aggression today, Ukraine could be next, and Poland might be in the crosshairs tomorrow. This message, she said, should have served as a clear signal to Europe about the danger posed by Russia.
Szydło criticized a pattern she described as cooperation with Russia, pointing to a series of missteps, including what she labeled a reset policy and dialogues with Russian leadership on equal terms. She asserted that these dynamics continued even as Ukraine and other European partners faced pressure from Moscow.
She pointed to economic projects that shaped the policy landscape, such as Nord Stream initiatives, and argued that these efforts reflected a broader strategy of economic engagement with Russia rather than a firm stance in defense of European security. She argued that this approach persisted into subsequent years, even after 2014, when the conflict in Ukraine intensified.
From her vantage point, the lessons were not adequately absorbed. She contended that key European leaders and institutions failed to align on a coherent strategy to deter aggression, a situation she described as leaving the continent exposed to future risks.
Beata Szydło emphasized that her aim is not to assign blame but to stress the importance of learning from the past. She argued that Ukraine’s victory would be a victory for all of Europe and that genuine solidarity with Ukraine and with other European nations understanding this link is essential to the European project.
She acknowledged the gratitude of many Europeans who opened their hearts to Ukrainians and highlighted the ongoing role of Polish citizens and leadership, including President Andrzej Duda and the Polish government, in supporting Ukraine during this crisis.
The overall message was clear: Ukraine must prevail, and Europe must persist in providing support while continually drawing practical lessons to avert similar aggression in the future.
Her remarks were shared on social media as part of a broader conversation about Europe’s posture toward Russia and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, inviting readers to reflect on how history shapes current policy choices.
In hindsight, she reflected on the period before February 24, 2022, suggesting that Europe’s approach—together with the Polish government and other leaders—provided a model of economic engagement with Russia that may have undermined a tougher stance in the face of rising aggression. The narrative she presents points to a need for heightened awareness of energy dependencies and political energy that may complicate decisive responses to Moscow’s actions. The focus remains on learning from the past to strengthen collective security and unity across European nations.