Radosław Sikorski, during his speech in Brussels, outlined Poland's EU presidency priorities in the European Parliament and argued that Ukraine needs lasting solutions, not short-term fixes.
Poland's top diplomat warned against a fragile ceasefire and emphasized the need for a just and durable peace. He also thanked EU permanent representatives for agreeing on the 16th sanctions package against Russia.
Sikorski stressed that any agreement with Russia will only hold if Moscow is not strong enough to break it, highlighting the importance of strengthening Europe’s political and military capabilities.
"The whole point of Ukraine's resistance against Russian agression is that, it is Ukraine who decides about what foreign troops, if any, should be on her territory. It is up to Ukraine, not Russia," pointed out the head of Polish diplomacy.
The Polish foreign minister also stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin understands only the language of force and emphasized the need to deepen EU-NATO cooperation and ensure that EU actions complement those of the Alliance, as both organizations share a common goal - securing Europe and the Atlantic region.
Sikorski said that the EU's support should be used to develop defense infrastructure, including projects like Shield East, as it needs to be built where the threat is—now in the East.
Additionally, he reaffirmed Poland’s commitment to advancing EU accession talks for Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans based on their progress and dedication.
The full speech of the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs is available below.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski (L) appears on a screen as he attends a dialogue with the Committee on Foreign Affairs at the European Parliament, in Brussels, Belgium, 19 February 2025. Sikorski will outline the priorities of the Polish presidency of the EU Council on foreign politics. Photo: OLIVIER MATTHYS/PAP/EPA
Source: IAR/PAP/europarl.europa.eu/X/@PolandMFA
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