The head of Poland’s Foreign Ministry, Radosław Sikorski, urged a return to trade rules in place before the war during a speech at the Atlantic Council. He explained that Polish farmers cannot bear the steep burden of solidarity alone and that the dispute must be settled so Ukraine can receive sustained support.
Speaking at the council’s Washington headquarters, Sikorski underscored the pivotal moment in history and the stakes for the United States and its allies. He outlined three steps toward a safer, more stable world: immediate delivery of the ammunition Ukraine needs, large-scale security investments across the continent, and stronger, broader alliances.
Though Poland’s foreign minister, Sikorski noted his personal stake in U.S. strength and loyalty to allies due to family ties, including an American wife and a son in the military. He warned against isolationism and appeasing Vladimir Putin.
He acknowledged reconciliation might seem tempting but argued it would be a dead end. If America does not stand with Europe to secure a Ukrainian victory, democratic states could fragment and seek safety elsewhere, potentially turning to drastic measures.
He warned that a failure to halt Russia in Ukraine would push Moscow closer to NATO borders. The reassuring note is that Putin would act only if he believes he can get away with it, and the United States and Europe can prevent such moves. The war in Ukraine, he said, marks a profound moment in global history.
Choice now will determine whether history is shaped by Western resolve or by others in Moscow, Tehran, or Beijing. Defeating Putin is framed as morally sound, strategically sensible, militarily justified, and economically beneficial, surpassing partisan politics.
He urged Congress and the Speaker to approve an aid package for Ukraine, framing the funding as an investment in American industry. A think tank report indicated the funds would support weapons factories across 31 states, spanning both Democratic and Republican governance.
“These are usually empty threats.”
During a question-and-answer session with former Pentagon deputy chief and US Ambassador Paula Dobriansky, Sikorski commented on Russian nuclear threats. He argued these threats should not stop allies from reinforcing support for Ukraine.
Putin’s use of nuclear weapons would be difficult, Sikorski suggested, adding that nuclear deployment would bring serious consequences, including radioactive contamination on battlefields and risks to allied forces.
He stressed that such threats are largely empty and should not deter the right course of action.
“Polish farmers cannot bear the biggest burden.”
The Polish foreign minister was pressed about protests along the Polish-Ukrainian border and what they mean for Kyiv’s aid. He said resolving the grain dispute was essential to continuing support for Ukraine and recalled Europe’s openness to Ukrainian grain as a sign of solidarity, even as rules and standards diverged on both sides of the border.
Ukraine’s ability to export grain by sea has improved, he noted, and it is time to revert to pre-war trade rules. Polish policy, he added, must protect farmers from bearing the full weight of solidarity. He agreed that optics matter, and called for a swift resolution to keep supporting Ukraine.
Ukraine in NATO?
The discussion turned to Ukraine’s future and possible negotiations with Russia. Sikorski described a stable solution as one that restores Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders, warning that other scenarios could lead to a frozen conflict and ongoing instability. He doubted any credible prospect of negotiating with Putin, given his track record.
He asked what a signed document would be worth in exchange for actions, citing Russia’s long history of violating international agreements. While acknowledging the difficulty of Ukraine’s NATO accession, he said Kyiv’s heart is in the alliance, but acceptance at this moment would imply a readiness to go to war with Russia. The question remains: are member states prepared to do so now?
— Sikorski noted with caution.
yes/DAD
Source: wPolityce