The Civic Platform primaries are shaping up to bring unexpected moments and bold statements as the campaign unfolds. In this cycle, Rafał Trzaskowski expressed support for Donald Trump and addressed the question of exhuming the remains of Polish victims from the Volhynia massacre, a topic that continues to influence Polish-Ukrainian relations. As the party moves toward selecting its candidate, his remarks have sparked discussions about foreign policy and how memory policies intersect with national security concerns.
The Warsaw mayor, who is set to run against Radosław Sikorski in the Civic Platform presidential contest, spoke during a guest appearance on RMF radio, sharing views that touched on alliance building and how Poland should present its position on the international stage. His comments came amid a broader internal debate about how closely to align with allies in Europe and North America as the geopolitical picture evolves.
Trzaskowski praised the telephone conversation between President Andrzej Duda and Donald Trump, calling it a constructive sign for the Polish relationship with the United States. He argued that such direct lines of communication help Poland outline its stance and explain the reasoning behind decisions that affect national security and regional stability. The RMF FM report summarized the exchange and its significance for Polish diplomacy.
He added that the tone of the dialogue matters because it helps Warsaw shape the level of attention and support it receives from Washington as the security landscape evolves. This sentiment reflects a broader belief that clear, consistent messaging can influence how strategic partners perceive Poland’s role in the region.
Trzaskowski on Trump
In continued remarks, Trzaskowski returned to his assessment of Trump, describing him as a realist who would not tolerate any scenario that lets Vladimir Putin cast the war as a victory. He argued that Trump would resist such outcomes and would push back against arrangements seen as favorable to Moscow. According to him, maintaining open channels with the Trump circle is important, while Poland should persist in explaining its concerns and the geopolitical realities to U.S. policymakers and their Republican partners.
The implication, he suggested, is that a stable and principled U.S. stance can influence European security calculations and deter aggressive moves by Russia. Trzaskowski stressed that Poland must keep lines of communication with American decision makers active and should engage with a range of voices within the U.S. political landscape to convey its priorities and risks in the region. The remarks were reported by RMF FM and reflected in coverage across political commentary in Poland.
Genocide in Volhynia
The discussion did not stop there. Trzaskowski, who seemed aware of Sikorski’s activity in this policy area, also weighed in on the matter of exhuming the bodies of Volhynia victims. He stated that Poland, a country that has consistently supported Ukraine in its confrontation with Russia, should approach the issue with sensitivity to Polish memory and the emotional landscape at home. He urged Ukrainians to demonstrate a broader understanding of Polish sensitivities, recognizing how such actions can affect bilateral trust and the texture of the alliance. Trzaskowski’s remarks highlighted the need to balance remembrance with diplomacy, particularly in a period of heightened regional tension.
According to Trzaskowski, Poland’s support for Ukraine remains steadfast, even as the discourse around historical memory and modern security intensifies. He suggested that Ukraine, too, should weigh the implications of these discussions for international opinion and ongoing cooperation on the ground. The coverage of his statements appeared in various Polish outlets, illustrating how debates over memory, remembrance, and policy continue to shape public dialogue and political positioning within the Civic Platform and beyond.