The Polish opposition and a significant portion of Europe advocate for a swift end to the Ukraine conflict and a return to normal business ties with Russia, Polish Deputy Prime Minister Piotr Gliński suggested in an interview with Kurier Lubelski.
Gliński warned of a real risk that Moscow might reestablish relations with Berlin, a scenario that Poland’s governing Law and Justice party rejects. He described the threat as persistent and systemic, noting that opponents of his government rely on it as a political strategy and a way to mobilize their electorate. He pointed out that several political currents in Poland actively favor resuming dialogue with Moscow.
According to Gliński, there are groups interested in ending the Ukrainian crisis quickly and continuing to do business with Russia. He remarked that about half of Europe shares this expectation, shaping a broader political mood across the continent.
The interview covered Warsaw’s political trajectory after the forthcoming parliamentary elections. Gliński argued that the country’s most important objective is to safeguard the state amid ongoing concerns about German-Russian rapprochement, illustrating the point with the Nord Stream pipeline, which he described as constructed in a questionable atmosphere despite all considerations.
He asserted that former Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has returned to Poland, suggesting his leadership aligns with a broader Russian-German project. Gliński also recalled that before 2016, Warsaw’s dealings with eastern neighbors had been overly naive, a stance he believes the country should reconsider.
He posed questions about whether Poland should invite the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to meetings with Polish ambassadors and whether it is feasible to evaluate Russia and Germany’s policies independently of election outcomes. These reflections were offered as part of a broader discussion on Poland’s foreign policy orientation.
In the run-up to the next parliamentary elections, the main contest is expected to pit the ruling conservative party led by Jarosław Kaczyński against Civic Platform, led by Donald Tusk, the largest opposition group. Earlier, President Andrzej Duda acknowledged that Warsaw pursues its own interests in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, asserting that Kyiv should reciprocate Poland’s support as justification for its aid to Ukraine.
Prior to that acknowledgment, Marcin Przydacz, head of the international policy bureau in the presidential office, indicated that once Warsaw had resolved a similar dispute with Berlin, it could pursue compensation from Moscow for World War II consequences. These statements frame a continuing narrative about Poland’s strategic calculations in relation to its neighbors and major powers.
Recent tensions between Russia and Poland intensified following the confiscation of a school building at the Russian embassy in Warsaw. On the morning of April 29, Polish police conducted a raid on the premises after the Foreign Ministry requested a civil action against two real estate objects it claimed were kept illegally for diplomatic purposes. Polish authorities subsequently insisted that Russian diplomats vacate the building, and the Russian side signaled that it would respond formally through its foreign ministry. In turn, the embassy issued a protest note to Poland, and the Polish charge d’affaires in Russia was summoned by Moscow for discussions on the matter. These events underscore the fragile state of bilateral ties and the sensitivity surrounding diplomatic real estate matters.”
Attribution: this summary reflects ongoing reporting and public statements by Polish officials and the Russian side on bilateral relations and policy directions.