On RMF FM, the deputy head of the Civic Platform spoke in terms that some listeners found unusual while arguing that his party had repeatedly cautioned against any approach that treated Russia with a lenient hand. He recalled a period when European discourse leaned toward engaging with Moscow as a path to stability, suggesting that certain policymakers trusted the notion of civilizing Vladimir Putin. The deputy head asserted that such optimism was a miscalculation and warned that pursuing friendly overtures could backfire for Europe and its neighbors. The remark came during an interview with Tomasz Terlikowski, the well-known media figure, and highlighted ongoing debates about how Western Europe should handle relations with Russia.
The deputy chairman of the Civic Platform elaborated on RMF FM that the strategy of easing tensions with Putin-era Russia represented a broader trend among several European governments. He described it as part of a long-standing effort to influence Moscow through diplomacy, generosity, and political concessions, a tactic his party argued lacked the necessary firmness to deter aggression and protect European security. He pointed to lessons from history and emphasized the importance of a balanced approach that prioritizes deterrence and strategic clarity over excessive optimism.
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Trzaskowski also affirmed that the Civic Platform consistently warned about the risks associated with a lenient policy toward the Kremlin and urged careful consideration of the consequences for Poland and allied states in the region. He maintained that prudent scrutiny of past measures is essential to ensure that future policies are aligned with the security needs of Poland and its partners.
There was a reset policy in Europe because some people came to the conclusion that you should try to civilize Putin, and we always said it was a bad idea, that it would end badly
– said Rafał Trzaskowski in RMF FM. The remark underscored a broader debate about how European leaders balanced engagement with Russia against the imperative to uphold regional stability and deter potential aggression.
It is interesting to compare Trzaskowski’s statements on RMF FM with remarks once heard from Donald Tusk, who, during his tenure as Prime Minister, declared from the Sejm podium: “We want the dialogue with Russia as it is.” The exchange reflects a continuity of thought about dialogue, even as the interpretation of that dialogue evolved in response to changing circumstances.
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Source: wPolityce