Sikorski: Ukraine is missing, it's very strange
The point of dispute was Karol Nawrocki's speech during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. In New York, the president spoke primarily about Poland's security, the consequences of Russian policy, the future of the UN, demography, migration and new technologies. In the official transcript of the speech by the Chancellery of the President, there is no reference to Ukraine by name.
Radosław Sikorski considered this a serious omission.
Ukraine is missing, which is very strange. There were ideological elements unrelated to the topic of the debate, but that is the beauty of our political life, said the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on TVP Info.
Nawrocki's speech, however, included strong words regarding Russia. The president spoke about a country that - as he emphasized - "is trying (...) to conquer a neighboring country", as well as about Russia's "imperial and neocolonial vision of the world." He also pointed to Russian hybrid war and destabilization activities.
Sikorski questioned the president's way of conducting foreign policy.
This is unfortunate: the fact that we have such a disagreement is a violation of the constitution. The president should represent the government's foreign policy, even if he disagrees with it. He pursues a different policy than the government and this does not strengthen Poland's position, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The Constitution actually states in Art. 146 section 1, that the Council of Ministers conducts the internal and foreign policy of the Republic of Poland. At the same time, Art. 133 defines the president as the representative of the state in external relations and states that "in the field of foreign policy, he cooperates with the Prime Minister and the relevant minister."
Sikorski: The president is trying to increase his support
The minister was also asked about Karol Nawrocki's approach to Russia and Ukraine. Sikorski noted that, in his opinion, the president sees a threat from Moscow, but at the same time he accused him of taking advantage of public sentiment regarding Ukraine.
I am convinced that the president sees a threat from Russia, but he is trying to increase his support based on externally controlled sentiments against Ukraine, said the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Sikorski also spoke about Russian information activities in Poland. We have a Russian campaign of targeting Poles against Ukrainians and the European Union. In recent hours, Lavrov called the EU the "Fourth Reich." Please see which side of the political scene is duplicating this propaganda, he said.
Dispute over the American base in Poland
The conversation also touched on Poland's relations with the United States and plans to establish another permanent US military base in Poland. We are talking about a second base in Poland. The government, the opposition, the president - we all want Americans to stay with us not only on a rotational basis, but for a longer period of time, Sikorski said.
The minister emphasized the importance of the American military presence for Poland's security, at the same time drawing attention to the difference in the geographical location of Poland and the United States.
The United States has a unique geostrategic position because it is separated from its rivals by large oceans. Their perception of threat is completely different from ours. They are our allies, but they are large and have a lot of time to react, he noted.
Sikorski also recalled Russia's activities outside Europe. The Russians are attacking not only in Europe. A conspiracy was discovered that was supposed to lead to paid murder in the USA - he pointed out.
“I will not get involved in petty partisan games.”
The issue of the American base also became part of the dispute over who should be credited for its creation. When asked whether the presidential camp is not trying to present the possible decision as a success for Karol Nawrocki, Sikorski replied: I will not get involved in such petty partisan games, this is a matter of Poland's security. Poles would not forgive us if we played party politics around this issue. The government will not do such things, he emphasized.
