According to Poland’s Foreign Ministry, the conversation focused on the status of peace negotiations in Ukraine, potential developments in the conflict, ways to increase pressure on Russia, and security along the Belarusian border.
The roughly 30-minute call took place while the Sejm, Poland’s lower house of parliament, was in session, with lawmakers debating the country’s foreign policy priorities. During this session, Poland’s top diplomat emphasized the need to strengthen Europe’s defense capabilities and maintain a strong alliance with the United States.
Apologizing for his brief absence from the parliamentary debate, Foreign Minister Sikorski explained that during his conversation with Secretary Rubio, he also raised the issue of political prisoners in Belarus, including the case of Andrzej Poczobut (a journalist and activist representing the Polish minority who is imprisoned by the Lukashenko regime).
As stated in a press release by U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, the two ministers “discussed further cooperation on ending the Russia-Ukraine war,” and Rubio “expressed the United States’ hopes that the peace proposal presented to Ukrainian and Russian officials will be accepted and lead to a lasting peace in Ukraine.”
Rubio also praised “Poland’s defense investments as an example for other European nations that must step up and commit more resources for national security.”
The call occurred amid a high-level meeting in London, which involved U.S., Ukrainian, French, and British officials.
Rubio was absent from the meeting, reportedly due to logistical reasons, although some sources suggest it may have been linked to Ukraine’s lukewarm reception of a U.S. peace proposal, which included the potential recognition of Russia's annexation of Crimea.
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Source: IAR/PAP/MSZ/usembassy.gov/X/@sikorskiradek/@PolandMFA/@p_zuchowski/@US2EU