Poland's foreign minister used his annual address to parliament on Wednesday to send a strong message to Russian authorities about the ongoing war in neighbouring Ukraine, asking: “Don't you have enough land?”
Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski described Poland's difficult situation resulting from the war across the border and the 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? Focus on managing what is within your borders better, in accordance with international law.”
Mr Sikorski described the deteriorating security situation in connection with the conflict on the border with Poland: “Anxiety and the question of what will happen next have settled in Polish homes. Are we under threat of Russian aggression? Are relations between Europe and the United States heading towards a crisis? Will Europe be able to quickly strengthen 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 is signaling that Europe must take greater responsibility for security.
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 end the conflict.
Since taking office again, Mr Trump has falsely claimed that Ukraine “should never have started a war,” said that Ukraine “might one day be part of Russia,” and questioned the legitimacy of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government.
Mr Trump also reversed America's long-standing stance of isolating Russia over its aggression by opening direct talks with Moscow and voicing views remarkably similar to those of the Kremlin.
“For Poland, the most serious threat is the disintegration of the Western community. That is why we cannot afford illusions or inaction. We cannot afford to be alone,” Mr Sikorski said.
He had a warning for Russia. “You will never again rule here, nor in Kyiv, nor in Vilnius, nor in Riga, nor in Tallinn, nor 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 “uncertain” and the slow progress of Russian troops is accompanied by “huge losses.”
“After three years of this phase of the war, which Putin planned to end 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 an estimated $200 billion, and nearly a million Russian soldiers have been killed on the battlefield. Ukraine's losses have been lower, and it has prevented both the capture of its capital and the installation of a puppet government.”
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
