"Thanks to raising defence spending, in line with the decisions of successive NATO summits, Poland is earning the respect of Washington, while at the same time deterring Vladimir Putin's Russia," Sikorski told state news agency PAP in an interview earlier this month.
'European Legion'
He reiterated his long-standing support for creating a European defence force and said he hoped the issue would be placed firmly on the EU agenda.
A joint European brigade—which he referred to as a "European Legion"—could become operational within a year or 18 months, he said.
Sikorski said deterring Russia remains NATO’s task, while a European force could respond to other threats, such as instability in the Balkans or terrorism in North Africa.
Europe, he added, should also be capable of tackling organised crime networks involved in migrant smuggling without relying on US assistance.
Drones, military pipelines
Sikorski also pointed to the European Union’s EUR 150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative, saying Poland could receive about one-third of the funding.
The programme is intended to boost defence capabilities, including drone and counter-drone systems, and improve military mobility and infrastructure, he said.
Through SAFE, Europe will be able to boost the mobility of its armed forces, Sikorski argued, urging the construction of pipelines across the EU to ensure fuel for military vehicles, including "tanks stationed on the EU's eastern border."
Asked about US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace initiative, Sikorski questioned its governance structure and funding model.
He said the invitation to join had been "addressed personally to President Karol Nawrocki, not to Poland" as a state.
"Under the constitution, it is the government that conducts foreign policy," Sikorski said, noting that the government had not authorised Nawrocki to accept the invitation.
Cognitive aggression
He also said Poland was placing increasing emphasis on cooperation with northern European countries, particularly after Finland and Sweden joined NATO.
Among the key challenges, he cited environmental risks posed by aging tanker ships, violations of maritime and airspace, and the mapping of critical undersea infrastructure by Russian vessels.
“Russia is not the only country seeking to undermine Europe’s cohesion, but it is the most aggressive one,” Sikorski said, accusing Moscow of using agents in Europe to fuel anti-European sentiment and radical movements.
“We must not give in to this cognitive aggression,” he said.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP