Poland and the Baltic nations have long enjoyed unique relations, but these relations have become a lot deeper in the last two years following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. To discuss the depth of the relations between the Baltic states and Poland, specifically the Latvian-Polish relations, TVP World was honored to host the Latvian Ambassador Juris Poikāns for an exclusive interview.
Poikāns said that “Baltic-Polish relations currently are very close,” emphasizing in particular the unique relations enjoyed by Latvia and Poland.
“When we look specifically at Latvian-Polish relations, we don’t have any historical difficulties, unlike other neighbors. I think this creates a very good foundation,” he said.
Poikāns recalled how the Polish leader Marshal Józef Piłsudski helped Latvians to liberate the eastern part of their country.
He said, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, “the region has come together much much more than before,” as evidenced by Sweden and Finland joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Referring in particular to the Baltic states, Nordic countries, and Poland, he said “we are united by the Baltic sea…this is our joint region, that’s why we care about it. And at the same time we share the same vision when it comes to the Russian aggression on Ukraine. We understand that it’s not only the Ukrainian fight for independence… but it’s also in a way Ukrainian fight for the future of Europe.”
He said given the tragic history that Baltic states and Poland have had with Russia, these nations better understand the challenges that Ukraine is currently facing.
“That’s why obviously Latvia and Poland nowadays are friends and allies,” he said.
Do all EU states share the same vision?
When asked whether all countries in the EU are doing equally enough to support Ukraine, Poikāns said “when it comes to the Baltic states…we are sharing very much the same position. I would say we are having the same level of support for Ukraine. I don’t have any doubts when it comes specifically to Baltic, Nordic countries and also Poland.”
He mentioned, however, that as the EU and NATO alliance contains many different nations, so quite naturally “geography and some historical considerations play a role. Yes, we are all allies, but some are a bit closer allies…We are doing quite a lot [for Ukraine-TVP World] but probably this is not enough.”
“We must definitely do more...We must ensure that at the end of the day, Ukraine wins the war,” Poikāns stressed.
He further added that “it’s not a big tragedy if not all the countries of the EU share the same understanding because there are geopolitical considerations,” which is why it is quite unlikely that all these countries will achieve the same level of understanding. But he stressed that such unanimity is perhaps not necessary.
“There are countries that are more engaged and we will keep this issue on the agenda of the EU,” he added.
Watch the full interview.
“When we look specifically at Latvian-Polish relations, we don’t have any historical difficulties, unlike other neighbors. I think this creates a very good foundation,” he said.
Poikāns recalled how the Polish leader Marshal Józef Piłsudski helped Latvians to liberate the eastern part of their country.
He said, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, “the region has come together much much more than before,” as evidenced by Sweden and Finland joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Referring in particular to the Baltic states, Nordic countries, and Poland, he said “we are united by the Baltic sea…this is our joint region, that’s why we care about it. And at the same time we share the same vision when it comes to the Russian aggression on Ukraine. We understand that it’s not only the Ukrainian fight for independence… but it’s also in a way Ukrainian fight for the future of Europe.”
He said given the tragic history that Baltic states and Poland have had with Russia, these nations better understand the challenges that Ukraine is currently facing.
“That’s why obviously Latvia and Poland nowadays are friends and allies,” he said.
Do all EU states share the same vision?
When asked whether all countries in the EU are doing equally enough to support Ukraine, Poikāns said “when it comes to the Baltic states…we are sharing very much the same position. I would say we are having the same level of support for Ukraine. I don’t have any doubts when it comes specifically to Baltic, Nordic countries and also Poland.”
He mentioned, however, that as the EU and NATO alliance contains many different nations, so quite naturally “geography and some historical considerations play a role. Yes, we are all allies, but some are a bit closer allies…We are doing quite a lot [for Ukraine-TVP World] but probably this is not enough.”
“We must definitely do more...We must ensure that at the end of the day, Ukraine wins the war,” Poikāns stressed.
He further added that “it’s not a big tragedy if not all the countries of the EU share the same understanding because there are geopolitical considerations,” which is why it is quite unlikely that all these countries will achieve the same level of understanding. But he stressed that such unanimity is perhaps not necessary.
“There are countries that are more engaged and we will keep this issue on the agenda of the EU,” he added.
Watch the full interview.
Source: TVP World
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