Poland's foreign minister, Radosław Sikorski, has said Polish-American relations have “strong foundations” following his first call with Marco Rubio, the new U.S. secretary of state.
Sikorski spoke to Rubio, who was sworn in on Monday, while he was in the Swiss town of Davos attending the World Economic Forum.
The call also came amid swirling uncertainty over just what will be the new Trump administration’s approach to transatlantic ties.
“The conversation with the new US Secretary of State Marco Rubio showed that Polish-American friendship has strong foundations,” Sikorski wrote on social media. “Marco, there are many challenges ahead of us, but the alliance of Poland, Europe and the United States will cope with them,” wrote the head of the Polish MFA.
Sikorski later said at a press conference that Rubio had agreed to meet him in February and possibly visit Poland later this year, and that this was “proof that the United States sees Poland as an example, as an ally.”
Sikorski added that he had thanked Rubio for the statement U.S. President Donald Trump published on Wednesday about Vladimir Putin having to be the one to end the war against Ukraine.
“The U.S. is giving him a chance to end it quickly and with less pain. I consider this a good omen for our friendship,” Sikorski said.
Tammy Bruce, spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department, wrote in a statement:
“Secretary Rubio reaffirmed the strength and importance of the U.S.-Poland relationship for transatlantic peace and prosperity.
“He and Foreign Minister Sikorski discussed deepening our ties across a wide range of mutual interests, including defense cooperation and energy security,” it read.
According to the Polish Press Agency, Sikorski was the first European diplomatic chief to speak to the U.S. secretary of state since he took office on Tuesday, in a move demonstrating the U.S.’s consideration of Poland’s important role in European politics.
