Radosław Sikorski, Poland’s Foreign Minister, stated that preventing Russia from winning the war in Ukraine requires relatively low expenditures. Speaking at the conclusion of the London Defence Conference, Sikorski emphasized that Russia cannot win the war unless it is allowed to do so.
Sikorski praised the alignment between Poland and the United Kingdom in their assessments of the situation in Ukraine since the onset of the conflict. He noted that following the Russian invasion, countries could be categorized into those needing explanations and those ready to discuss actions, with the UK falling into the latter group. Highlighting the UK’s recent increase in defense spending to 2.5% of GDP announced in Warsaw by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Sikorski underscored the commitment to Ukrainian support across British political parties.
“Russian aggression against Ukraine is not a local skirmish but a brutal colonial war with far-reaching consequences,” Sikorski remarked. He pointed out Russia’s goals of re-establishing its influence in Central Europe, against the will of nations that dismantled the Iron Curtain 35 years ago, and replacing a system of sovereign states with one dominated by aggressive powers.
Sikorski warned that the effects of Russia’s actions would be felt globally, predicting that millions of Ukrainians would seek refuge in the EU or the Americas, leading to another migration crisis. He stressed that Russian victory would embolden other countries with similar ambitions and undermine trust in current security guarantees, potentially pushing nations towards seeking nuclear deterrence.
“If Russia wins, chronic instability will spread worldwide, fueling a global coalition of dictatorships,” Sikorski stated, asserting that Russia will not win unless allowed. The cost of stopping Russia, he argued, is relatively low, requiring financial and military support for Ukraine rather than deploying Western soldiers.
Sikorski highlighted the importance of Ukraine’s defense not only for its own survival but also for buying time for Europe to rebuild its deterrence systems. He expressed hope that Poland’s example of allocating 4% of its GDP to defense would inspire other European countries to enhance their military capabilities.
In his concluding remarks, Sikorski called for increased defense spending in Europe without compromising NATO involvement. He advocated for a “strategic harmony” between the EU and NATO rather than European strategic autonomy. Emphasizing the indispensable role of the UK in European security, Sikorski called for deepened UK-EU cooperation on defense and security.
Poland has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine since the Russian invasion began, consistently advocating for international assistance to Ukraine. Sikorski’s remarks at the London Defence Conference reflect ongoing efforts to mobilize European and global support to counter Russian aggression and maintain regional and global stability.
