The covid-19 pandemic, followed by the prelude to conflict and the return of renewed Russian pressure, disrupted many areas of public life. The moment has arrived to clearly present and debate Poland’s foreign policy assumptions and directions, according to the head of the Foreign Ministry, Zbigniew Rau, who spoke at the Sejm.
Today marks a pivotal moment in European history. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and Ukraine’s determined defense are a contest over Europe’s future. The discussion centers on the norms and values that will shape continental life, the form of transatlantic cooperation, and the institutional architecture of Europe’s new political and security framework. Rau underscored this as the guiding aim for Poland’s policy.
He noted that Russian aggression forces a reflection on fundamental questions. The current historical shift calls for a clear answer: what kind of world should Poland help build?
The foremost responsibility of Polish policy, Rau stated, is the survival and development of the Republic of Poland in freedom. He emphasized that the Republic is a common good for those who retain a bond with its identity, culture, and heritage. Maintaining a free and independent Poland remains central to Polish identity. In the past, Poles across the globe safeguarded this idea, contributing to the nation’s reconstruction. The survival of Poland is a shared commitment to future generations of Poles worldwide.
The meaning of peace is the first principle. Peace and security must be guaranteed, and every nation has an inalienable right to peace. Poland is prepared to work with any international partner whose policies honor equality and national self-determination. The country has learned that peace is valuable. Over the last thirty years, Poland has leveraged its peace-time opportunities to build a resilient economy, join NATO as a robust defense alliance, and integrate with the European Union. These efforts transformed Poland from a peripheral state into one of Europe’s dynamic economies. Poland’s growth and the improvement of living standards have been tangible measures of this progress, with purchasing power parity approaching the European average. Poland believes that future progress can further close the gap with EU peers.
Rau reminded listeners of the heavy costs of war in Europe. Armed aggression, especially of a scale like the German invasion and occupation of 1939–45, carried immense losses that linger in memory. To prevent such aggression, Poland supports a national security framework that reduces the likelihood of conflict and includes credible deterrence. This approach also means active participation in coalitions that can impose economic sanctions on states that threaten peace, as an essential element of maintaining global stability.
Democratization of international relations follows as the second principle guiding Poland’s policy. It rests on the sovereign equality of states and nations and rejects imperialist aims, power politics, and spheres of influence. This stance draws on Poland’s political and systemic traditions, rooted in freedom and equality.
In collaboration with neighbors in Central and Eastern Europe, Poland seeks to channel shared anti-imperial experiences into shaping Europe’s common good and a more peaceful world. Poland positions itself as a center of values that defend Europe against hegemonic pressures and avoid compromises with authoritarian tendencies. It is a firm belief that Europe’s future cannot be built on a division of nations, but on the rejection of imperial divides. Poland has committed to this principle and will resist any attempt to split the continent into privileged and disadvantaged states.
Source: wPolityce