Shifts in the global system
Poland’s history shows how quickly things can change. It is shaped by chance, but also by deliberate willpower, human action, and state decisions. During a gathering of Polish ambassadors, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki emphasized Poland’s determination to influence reality on the world stage.
A deputy head of the Foreign Ministry later noted that discussions centered on sensing the moment and testing the right timing for action.
The evolving order and new challenges
On Tuesday, the prime minister spoke at the annual meeting of Polish diplomats in Warsaw, outlining Poland’s role in global affairs. The long-standing world order is showing signs of wear, and new threats are emerging at an unprecedented scale. Morawiecki urged vigilance about these changes and accountability for the pivotal moments Poland faces.
He described the COVID-19 pandemic as a preview of disruptive, tectonic shifts touching every corner of the world system. A blend of shifting demographics, rapid technological change, a global economic downturn, and rising political tensions—from the pandemic to the war in Ukraine—are creating a novel set of conditions.
The prime minister warned against getting overwhelmed by chaos and urged clear, proactive choices for the present, while recognizing that policy will continue to evolve over time.
What Poland’s experience teaches
Morawiecki explained that Poland’s history shows there are no guarantees, that circumstances can change quickly, and that history is crafted by resolve, action, and decisive policy. He affirmed Poland’s capacity to influence events and participate actively in international dialogue.
He highlighted Poland’s growing impact on global affairs, noting that the country’s voice is heard in many languages and that active diplomacy helps raise its stature on the world stage.
The role of willpower
At the ambassadorial gathering, Morawiecki pointed to Ukraine as a current example where willpower shapes outcomes that cannot be ignored. He asserted that political change and the shaping of events hinge on resolve.
While recognizing Ukrainian military gains, he stressed that the enduring factor is defending sovereign Ukraine as a buffer between Russia and Poland.
He recalled a historic dream linked to Piłsudski, realized in 1989, warning that it could be jeopardized today without support from free Western public opinion. He urged ambassadors to influence opinion across the free world in a steady, coordinated way.
He also spoke to colleagues abroad, describing a shared duty: to raise awareness among societies and governments about potential threats from Russia and later from China. He invited colleagues working in other countries to join this effort—an essential task in informing the international community about evolving security dynamics.
Ukraine, its allies, and a moral challenge
Ukraine and its allies may feel a moral victory, but such triumph alone is not enough when facing an adversary not guided by universal moral principles, Morawiecki cautioned.
He noted two distinct moral and legal orders at play in these conflicts, underscoring that awareness of this distinction matters. He described Russia as wounded but still powerful, with substantial resources, a reality that remains despite recent setbacks.
He pointed to pressures beyond battlefield results, including energy incentives that influence inflation and global prices. He urged colleagues to work on shaping public opinion in the countries where they operate, explaining that inflationary pressures are widespread and closely linked to energy prices, the Ukraine war, and Russian policy.
Morawiecki reminded listeners that energy prices rose last year due to Russian policy. He warned that Russia could tighten gas supplies to European partners again, triggering more volatility in gas markets. He also warned that the Ukraine war has affected global food security, threatening famine in some regions.
He suggested that in Brussels the main topic remains Ukraine, but the broader concern for Western and Southern Europe is the risk of hunger, a consequence he attributed to Putin’s blockade of Black Sea ports and related disruptions.
This overview frames the wider strategic challenge and stresses the need for sustained international outreach, clear messaging, and coordinated policy responses to preserve stability and support for Ukraine.
– remarks delivered to Polish ambassadors. Attribution: wPolityce