Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski criticized Germany for its lengthy decision-making processes regarding arms supplies to Ukraine during an interview with the dpa news agency. He also called on the country, as well as the whole of Europe, to confront Russian threats with military strength. “Weakness encourages aggression, strength deters,” he argued.
The delivery of German Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine “would have a significant impact on Ukraine’s ability to defend itself,” Sikorski emphasized.
Using cruise missiles received from other countries, Ukrainians have already forced Russians to move their logistics bases, including ammunition depots, further away from the front lines; the Taurus missiles, with a range of 500 km, “would force (Russians) to move even further away,” the Polish FM assessed.
Germany may have “historical reasons to be nervous; we understand that, but we would like your discussions to proceed more quickly,” Sikorski told the agency.
He reminded everyone that time is crucial for Ukraine. “A decision made in six months will no longer be the same decision,” he stressed, referring to the months-long discussions in Germany about supplying Kyiv with Taurus missiles.
Sikorski called on Berlin and Europe as a whole to oppose Russian threats with military strength. “Weakness encourages aggression; strength deters,” he emphasized.
“Germany may perhaps feel that they have more time to react to Russian aggression because Poland lies between them and Russia,” Sikorski continued.
“But if Putin is as aggressive as some of us believe, then take another look at your security situation. In the Russian enclave of Królewiec, there are Iskander missiles with nuclear warheads within range of Berlin,” the minister reminded.
In his conversation with the German agency, Sikorski also expressed understanding for the position of French President Emmanuel Macron, who recently did not rule out sending troops to Ukraine.
Putin first annexed Crimea, then started a war in Donbas in eastern Ukraine, and ultimately launched a full-scale invasion of the country. “And we are wondering how to deal with it,” Sikorski summed up.
“I understand President Macron’s strategic or, in this case, tactical logic of reversing the narrative. Let Putin worry about what we will do,” the Polish FM stated.
According to Sikorski, the decision to send troops still belongs individually to each country. “France has the right to do so on its own if it so decides,” he said.
Furthermore, he assessed that the presence of a certain number of soldiers from Western countries in Ukraine is already an open secret.
Sikorski also ruled out the possibility of Poland sending ground forces to Ukraine, citing historical reasons. “Ukraine and Poland were one state for 400 years. This would provide fodder for Russian propaganda. Therefore, we should be the last ones to do so,” the minister concluded.
Using cruise missiles received from other countries, Ukrainians have already forced Russians to move their logistics bases, including ammunition depots, further away from the front lines; the Taurus missiles, with a range of 500 km, “would force (Russians) to move even further away,” the Polish FM assessed.
Germany may have “historical reasons to be nervous; we understand that, but we would like your discussions to proceed more quickly,” Sikorski told the agency.
He reminded everyone that time is crucial for Ukraine. “A decision made in six months will no longer be the same decision,” he stressed, referring to the months-long discussions in Germany about supplying Kyiv with Taurus missiles.
Sikorski called on Berlin and Europe as a whole to oppose Russian threats with military strength. “Weakness encourages aggression; strength deters,” he emphasized.
“Germany may perhaps feel that they have more time to react to Russian aggression because Poland lies between them and Russia,” Sikorski continued.
“But if Putin is as aggressive as some of us believe, then take another look at your security situation. In the Russian enclave of Królewiec, there are Iskander missiles with nuclear warheads within range of Berlin,” the minister reminded.
In his conversation with the German agency, Sikorski also expressed understanding for the position of French President Emmanuel Macron, who recently did not rule out sending troops to Ukraine.
Putin first annexed Crimea, then started a war in Donbas in eastern Ukraine, and ultimately launched a full-scale invasion of the country. “And we are wondering how to deal with it,” Sikorski summed up.
“I understand President Macron’s strategic or, in this case, tactical logic of reversing the narrative. Let Putin worry about what we will do,” the Polish FM stated.
According to Sikorski, the decision to send troops still belongs individually to each country. “France has the right to do so on its own if it so decides,” he said.
Furthermore, he assessed that the presence of a certain number of soldiers from Western countries in Ukraine is already an open secret.
Sikorski also ruled out the possibility of Poland sending ground forces to Ukraine, citing historical reasons. “Ukraine and Poland were one state for 400 years. This would provide fodder for Russian propaganda. Therefore, we should be the last ones to do so,” the minister concluded.
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