Bartosz Cichocki, the former Polish ambassador to Kyiv, stated that even if Ukrainians were to lose their statehood due to a Russian invasion, they would continue to fight in guerrilla warfare. “They have shed too much blood to lay down their arms,” he told the Polish Press Agency (PAP).
According to Cichocki, who participated in a discussion in Budapest on Thursday regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there is a possibility that Kyiv may lose the conventional part of the war.
“If, however, someone thinks that cutting off aid to Ukraine will force the country to lay down its arms, they are deeply mistaken,” emphasized the diplomat.
For Europe, a potential defeat of Ukraine would be much more dangerous than the ongoing war, Cichocki assessed. “The defeat of Ukraine would mean, among other things, universal conscription and possibly allocating not four but maybe 20–30 percent of GDP to defense,” he added.
The former diplomat deems it unlikely that NATO troops will be deployed to Ukraine, contrary to French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent suggestion.
“The war in Ukraine should teach us humility,” noted Cichocki.
“Two years ago, it seemed to us that such aggression in the heart of Europe in the 21st century could not happen, yet it did,” he emphasized.
Referring to the tense Hungarian-Ukrainian relations, he assessed that the attempt by Ukrainian politicians to “bypass” Hungary was counterproductive.
“I always urged Ukrainian colleagues to talk to Hungary in Budapest, not in Brussels or Washington,” said Cichocki. “Hungarians may have instrumentally treated certain issues, but they also clearly expressed their expectations,” added the diplomat.
“However, if we look at the votes in the EU or NATO, Hungary votes loyally like other countries, albeit sometimes a bit too late,” Cichocki emphasized.
The Thursday event “Solidarity gene, help for Ukraine during the war,” which took place at the Polish Institute in Budapest, was organized by the Polish Embassy in Budapest in cooperation with the institute. Several diplomats from various countries serving in Budapest, including Polish Ambassador Sebastian Kęciek, were present.
“If, however, someone thinks that cutting off aid to Ukraine will force the country to lay down its arms, they are deeply mistaken,” emphasized the diplomat.
For Europe, a potential defeat of Ukraine would be much more dangerous than the ongoing war, Cichocki assessed. “The defeat of Ukraine would mean, among other things, universal conscription and possibly allocating not four but maybe 20–30 percent of GDP to defense,” he added.
The former diplomat deems it unlikely that NATO troops will be deployed to Ukraine, contrary to French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent suggestion.
“The war in Ukraine should teach us humility,” noted Cichocki.
“Two years ago, it seemed to us that such aggression in the heart of Europe in the 21st century could not happen, yet it did,” he emphasized.
Referring to the tense Hungarian-Ukrainian relations, he assessed that the attempt by Ukrainian politicians to “bypass” Hungary was counterproductive.
“I always urged Ukrainian colleagues to talk to Hungary in Budapest, not in Brussels or Washington,” said Cichocki. “Hungarians may have instrumentally treated certain issues, but they also clearly expressed their expectations,” added the diplomat.
“However, if we look at the votes in the EU or NATO, Hungary votes loyally like other countries, albeit sometimes a bit too late,” Cichocki emphasized.
The Thursday event “Solidarity gene, help for Ukraine during the war,” which took place at the Polish Institute in Budapest, was organized by the Polish Embassy in Budapest in cooperation with the institute. Several diplomats from various countries serving in Budapest, including Polish Ambassador Sebastian Kęciek, were present.
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