Radosław Sikorski, Poland’s foreign minister, has said that Russia would be making “a mistake” if it took Donald Trump for granted, warning that the U.S. president was capable of “coming on strong.”
Speaking to Sky News on Thursday, Sikorski referenced Trump’s mercurial moods and unorthodox bargaining tactics, saying that the president could yet step up support for Ukraine if he thought that Putin was not being suitably cooperative.
“[Trump’s] approach is unusual... [but] he’s spending his executive time on the issue, so he cares about success,” said Sikorski.
While many commentators have openly suggested that Trump has been played by Putin, Poland’s top diplomat said that the Russian leader should be wary of Trump’s capricious nature.
“I think the Russians would be making a mistake if they took [Trump] for granted,” said Sikorski. “I think he is capable of changing his policies rather rapidly, and if he decides that Putin is crossing him or being uncooperative, his people have said all along, including to me personally, that they could ramp up sanctions and ramp up support for Ukraine.”
He added: “I think he’s giving Putin a chance to exit this disastrous war with face, but if Putin doesn’t take this chance, I think he’s capable of coming on strong.”
Although Sikorski voiced support for an international peacekeeping force to be deployed to Ukraine, he ruled out the possibility of Polish units being part of a mission, citing the country’s need to maintain its own defenses.
“We are a frontline country,” he said. “Our first duty to NATO is to secure the external border of NATO—remember we have 600 kilometers of border with Russia and Belarus, and we have a key logistical hub in Poland, which needs to be protected.”
Sikorski also urged others to treat Putin’s words with caution. “Putin is a man who has publicly lied,” he said. “How can you trust the word or the signature of a leader like that?”
Questioned on his public spat with Elon Musk, Sikorski said: “Musk is a great pioneer, and I wish him well on his way to Mars.”
