President Joe Biden’s stop in Kiev drew a mixed but largely positive response from Polish politicians, with Ryszard Terlecki, a deputy speaker in the Sejm and a leading member of PiS, emphasizing the visit’s significance for Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression. He framed Biden’s trip as a demonstration of American resolve and an important signal to Moscow about what the United States is willing to do to support Kyiv.
“America has shown what it is capable of”
Terlecki described Biden’s visit to Kiev as a clear illustration of U.S. capability and willingness to back Ukraine. He remarked that the Americans have demonstrated the scale of their support for Kyiv, calling the moment a very meaningful turning point for Ukraine’s defense and for the broader international effort against Russian aggression.
Biden’s visit as a warning that aggression does not pay
Asked about what he expected from Biden’s upcoming engagements in Warsaw and a scheduled appearance with Arkady Kubicki, Terlecki suggested that the day would carry a general message: aggression carries a heavy cost, and the aggressor will bear it. He highlighted the possibility of a strategic pivot: if the Russians press their offensive and fail, Ukrainian resilience could push the momentum forward.
Terlecki added that he could not confirm a meeting between PiS president Jarosław Kaczyński and President Biden, but indicated a probable afternoon session with the U.S. president.
Trump in a distant memory, Biden in the spotlight
When evaluating Biden’s leadership and the role of the Polish government in supporting Ukraine, Terlecki stated that Biden is performing well as a world leader in the fight against Russian aggression. He acknowledged that Trump had once figured in Poland’s political imagination, but insisted Biden’s conduct has been distinctly strong and constructive for Ukraine.
According to Terlecki, Biden’s actions have affirmed a robust international stance and positive outcomes for regional security, underscoring a shift in perception from past expectations to the current realpolitik of deterrence and alliance-building.
On Tuesday at 12:50 p.m., an official welcome ceremony in Warsaw marked President Biden’s arrival at the Presidential Palace courtyard. The day also included a working session between the presidents of Poland and the United States, with a small-group discussion followed by plenary talks between delegations. Later, at 5:30 p.m., Biden was scheduled to address the Polish nation in Arkady Kubicki, within the Royal Castle gardens in Warsaw, a moment anticipated by many observers as a clarion call for continued unity and support for Ukraine.
Earlier in the week, Biden made an unannounced stop in Kyiv, meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During the visit, the U.S. president announced a military aid package valued at USD 500 million, including funds for HIMARS munitions, alongside other security assistance meant to bolster Kyiv’s defenses.
Analysts noted the visit as a signal of the deepening cooperation between Warsaw and Washington and as evidence of a broader strategy to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank and to reinforce Ukraine’s resilience in the face of ongoing aggression. Observers pointed out that Biden’s trip complemented a wider pattern of high-level engagement that reinforces the perception of the United States as a steadfast ally in the region.
Overall, the Polish reaction framed Biden’s presence as a practical display of transatlantic solidarity and a reminder of the costs associated with aggression in Eastern Europe. The discussions and public statements stressed continued support for Ukraine and affirmed Poland’s role as a pivotal partner in regional security—an assessment echoed by foreign policy analysts and government officials alike.
(Attribution: wPolityce)