Speaking at the Warsaw Security Forum conference on Tuesday, Mateusz Morawiecki added that “Russia has to change” to stop being a threat, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
The Polish prime minister took part in a panel discussion entitled "Europe at War: Discussing Central and Eastern European Support for Ukraine," alongside his Lithuanian counterpart Ingrida Šimonytė and German Marshall Fund President Heather A. Conley.
‘Russia has revived worst demons of 20th century’
Referring to Russia’s continuing invasion of Ukraine, Morawiecki said: “Russia has revived the worst demons of the 20th century - colonialism, imperialism, nationalism. The Kremlin uses these as weapons of propaganda aimed at Russian society.”
He added that the ideology of Russkiy Mir (Russian Order) is very much alive in Russia.
'This is Russia's war'
The Polish prime minister stated: “This is not Putin's war. This is Russia's war. This is ideology and the baggage of history.”
He stressed that “Russia has to change even deeper in order not to pose a threat to its neighbours in the future.”
Morawiecki warned that “Russia poses a threat, not only on the battlefield, but it also uses many other kinds of weapons and instruments.”
Some of these "were absolutely underestimated, such as propaganda,” he said.
Nord Stream leaks ‘most likely Russian sabotage’
Asked about last week’s mysterious leaks in the Russia-to-Germany Nord Stream gas pipelines near Denmark’s Baltic Sea island of Bornholm, Morawiecki said they were “an act of sabotage, most likely by the Russians or under Russia’s influence.”
Morawiecki added: “Of course, we have to wait until the final evidence and proofs are gathered by the appropriate services.”
At the time of the leaks, Swedish, Danish, Polish and German seismological authorities recorded tremors indicative of underwater explosions, the PAP news agency reported.
Held annually since 2014, the Warsaw Security Forum brings together government officials, decision makers and experts from various countries to discuss security in Central Europe as well as international policy issues and transatlantic relations.
Tuesday was day 223 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, gov.pl, dorzeczy.pl
Click on the audio player above for a report by Radio Poland's Michał Owczarek.