Radosław Sikorski was asked by PAP whether he was concerned about the lack of a final decision from the US regarding the establishment of a new, permanent American base in Poland.
The decision on this matter rests with the US and I would prefer it to be made before the midterm elections, because it is known that politicians are more inclined to give before the elections. So that we don't end up like Karol Rozmarek (president of the Polish American Congress, thanks to whom in the fall of 1944 the vast majority of Poles living in the USA voted for Roosevelt, ensuring his re-election. The president, despite previous suggestions, did not repay the Polish community and supported the change in the borders of pre-war Poland pushed by Stalin - ed.) - he said.
The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs assessed that the story of Karol Rozmarek was a very good warning.
US President Donald Trump is currently involved in the campaign before the midterm elections to Congress, which are scheduled for November 3. He appeals to his supporters to imagine that when they vote for Republican candidates, they are actually voting for him. Currently, Republicans have a majority in both houses. Polls indicate that the president's party may lose its majority in the House of Representatives.
Sikorski: Article 5 was used only once
PAP asked Sikorski whether, due to the Russian escalation, NATO should not agree on when Article 5, regarding mutual defense, is activated, and whether for this to happen, 20 or 200 drones must enter the alliance's territory.
This will be subject to political judgment depending on the course of events. Article 5 was used only once, after the September 11 attacks that killed almost 3,000 people. Besides, there were no precedents, noted the head of diplomacy.
Sikorski added that discussions among allies always take place in the light of what will happen. I assume that the Russians will not make this possible decision to trigger Article 5 easier. They will do something that will not be clear enough and that will divide the allies in Europe, as well as Europe and the United States. They are very good at such games, he said.
Sikorski: They are not capable of invasion
Sikorski was also asked about the escalation of hostile actions by Russia and his own statement to the Financial Times that NATO countries should prepare for a decisive response in the event of a Russian hybrid attack in which people will die.
Last winter, the Russians tried to destabilize the operation of one of our hospitals. They also wanted to paralyze a certain power plant, so it cannot be ruled out that they will do it again. When we say "something big" we don't mean an invasion, because they are not capable of that. However, further escalation of the hybrid war cannot be ruled out. That's why I'm a bit surprised that the president downplays the threat that our allies tell us about, said the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Sikorski: The point is that there will be no Yalta II
PAP also asked Sikorski whether it is not time to reach an agreement with President Karol Nawrocki and persuade him to use his connections with Donald Trump in the name of Poland's security. The Deputy Prime Minister assessed that "in a situation when a Russian missile explodes on our soil, when drones strike a kilometer from our border, and Polish border guards have to hide in shelters, the president should support building resistance to such threats, including the resilience of the political system."
But let us remember that, based on bad advice, he vetoed SAFE - a great program to support our defense industry - Sikorski pointed out.
I would like to remind you that in the past, the president convened the Security Council on trivial matters, such as admitting Marshal Czarzasty's state secrets. After all, these are not issues that decide neither the future of Poland, nor the security architecture on our continent. The situation has changed significantly since then. We are dealing with an escalation of kinetic actions - more drones over Romania, shooting at Romanian ships in the territorial waters of this country. These are very serious matters, he emphasized.
