Poland's foreign minister used his annual address to parliament on Wednesday to deliver a sharp message to Russian authorities in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, asking: “Don't you have enough land?”
Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski described the difficult situation in which Poland finds itself due to the border war and the potential threat of its expansion, and expressed concern about the “disintegration” of Western unity.
Poland, on Nato's eastern flank, is one of Kyiv's most vocal supporters, and Mr Sikorski used his speech to sharply criticise Russia.
Addressing Russian leaders, he said: “Don't you have enough land? Eleven time zones and still not enough? Make sure you manage what is within your borders more effectively, in accordance with international law.”
Mr Sikorski described the deteriorating security situation in connection with the conflict on the border with Poland: “Anxiety and questions about the future have settled in Polish homes. Are we under threat of Russian aggression? Is a crisis approaching in relations between Europe and the United States? Will Europe be able to quickly improve its defense capabilities?”
Poland and its European allies are seeking to bolster their defenses, fearing that Russian aggression will not be limited to Ukraine, while the Trump administration hints that Europe should take on greater security responsibilities.
Although Mr Sikorski did not mention US President Donald Trump by name, his remarks appeared to contain an implicit criticism of the concessions Mr Trump is willing to make to Russia to end the conflict.
Since taking office again, Mr Trump has falsely claimed that Ukraine “should never have started a war,” said that Ukraine “could become Russian at some point,” and questioned the legitimacy of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government.
Mr Trump has also reversed America's long-standing stance of isolating Russia over its aggression, opening direct talks with Moscow and voicing a position that is remarkably consistent with that of the Kremlin.
“For Poland, the most serious threat will be the disintegration of the Western community. Therefore, we cannot afford illusions or inaction. We cannot afford to be alone,” Mr. Sikorski emphasized.
He had a warning for Russia. “You will never rule here again, not in Kyiv, not in Vilnius, not in Riga, not in Tallinn, not in Chisinau,” he said, listing the capitals of Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Moldova.
He also noted that the situation on the front in the east and south of Ukraine is “ambiguous,” and the slow advance of Russian troops is accompanied by “enormous losses.”
“After three years of this phase of the war, which Putin planned in three days, Russian troops control only about 20% of Ukrainian territory and are still stuck in eastern Ukraine,” Mr Sikorski said.
“The war has already cost Russia at least $200 billion, and nearly a million Russian soldiers have been killed on the battlefield. Ukraine's losses are lower, and it has prevented either the capture of its capital or the installation of a puppet government.”
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
