Russia only reforms when it loses a war, Polish FM says
Poland's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski has said in London that Russia undergoes reform only after losing a war.
During his address to the British Parliament on Tuesday, Sikorski said that Poland, like the United Kingdom, was facing hybrid threats from Russia, such as the sending of illegal migrants from Belarus, acts of arson, and cyberattacks on financial institutions and hospitals.
He argued that Western allies must demonstrate their long-term commitment to supporting Ukraine by ensuring the country has the resources to sustain its statehood, armed forces and defence industry. Such determination, Sikorski contended, could ultimately compel Russia to change course.
The minister also said that Russia needs to lose the war in Ukraine - for the sake of the country itself, for peace in Europe and for its own future. He added that throughout its history, Russia had reformed only after suffering military defeats.
Furthermore he said that resolving the conflict in Ukraine would be simpler than ending the war in the Middle East, as it would only require a decision by Russian President Vladimir Putin to withdraw his troops — a step that becomes more likely as Russia's economy weakens.
According to Sikorski, Ukraine's decade-long resistance in the Donbas region proves that Moscow cannot achieve victory. He said that the West must remain consistent in providing medium-term support to Ukraine and in enforcing sanctions on Russian oil, gas and technology.
Commenting on NATO's response to drones violating the airspace of member states, the Polish foreign minister said that both electronic and kinetic defence systems were needed to neutralise such threats. He added that this protective layer should be established, at least, along NATO's eastern border. (PAP)
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