In a conversation with Bartosz T. Weliński, published in the last edition of Gazeta Wyborcza, Sikorski shared details of his recent discussion with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Sikorski confirmed that Rubio had rejected claims that the U.S. was pressuring Ukraine to formally give up its claim to Crimea as part of potential peace talks with Russia.
"This is an important signal," Sikorski emphasized, adding that Rubio also affirmed Ukraine's right, as a sovereign nation, to continue developing its military and defense industry.
"Gdybym był rosyjskim nacjonalistą, to bym się martwił, że tak wojskowo, jak i gospodarczo, Putin otworzył kraj na...
Opublikowany przez Gazeta Wyborcza Czwartek, 24 kwietnia 2025
Sikorski calls for U.S. troops to stay on NATO's eastern flank
Regarding the overall presence of U.S. troops in Europe, Sikorski stated, "Regardless of the decision on the broader U.S. military presence in Europe, we expect American forces to be where there is a threat - that is, on NATO's eastern flank, including in Poland."
Polish Foreign Minister also responded to President Andrzej Duda's criticism of his exposé in the Sejm, stating that he had adequately addressed U.S. relations and avoided making grand gestures.
Sikorski also commented on the EU’s security decisions, noting that fear of both President Putin and President Trump had finally prompted European mobilization, while expressing confidence that Poland would be prepared to confront Russia by the end of the decade.
This was not the only comment the head of Polish diplomacy made to the media following his annual exposé.
Polish FM on Europe's role in Ukraine’s defense and U.S. support
Speaking to The New York Times, Sikorski agreed with former President Trump’s assertion that Ukraine is more crucial to Europe than to the United States. He further stated, however, that due to one European neighbor invading another, Europe is committed to continuing to invest more resources into the situation, as it has been doing.
"My sense is that Europe understands the stakes, and that Europe will continue to support the Ukrainian government," Sikorski said. "Poland certainly will, and we’re not the only ones."
Europeans see Ukraine’s security as vital to their own and want to defend the principle of no border changes by force,...
Opublikowany przez The New York Times Czwartek, 24 kwietnia 2025
Sikorski estimated that the war has cost Russia at least $200 billion and led to nearly a million Russian casualties. “That’s not my definition of victory,” he remarked, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
While acknowledging the importance of U.S. support, including intelligence, air defense, and satellite coverage, Sikorski stressed that such resources alone were insufficient to force Ukraine's capitulation. "Intelligence sharing is important," he said, "but that’s not a strong enough card to dictate a capitulation to Ukraine."
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Source: IAR/Gazeta Wyborcza/The New York Times