Poland’s Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski told parliament that the government wants to return to the group of countries which sets the agenda of the European Union.
He also warned that a Russian attack on Nato would end in defeat for Moscow, but Nato must increase its defences.
Mr Sikorski was describing the new direction of the government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, which took office in December.
Mr Sikorski is seeking to explain how Poland’s priorities changed after Mr Tusk’s government replaced a national conservative party, led by the Law and Justice party, in respect to rule of law and international relations.
Law and Justice led Poland from 2015 to 2023, and while it stressed ties with the United States, it had a conflicted stance towards the European Union and with Germany, which invaded and occupied Poland during the Second World War.
Mr Sikorski argued that Poland’s development and security should be based both on trans-Atlantic co-operation and on European integration, and that it is also ready to take responsibility for global challenges.
He also stressed the importance of friendship with Germany.
He accused the previous Law and Justice government of choosing confrontation.
Mr Sikorski’s speech is aimed at both the world and the domestic audience in the nation of 38 million people located along a geopolitical fault line.
Poland, a member of Nato and the European Union, is on the eastern flank of both and shares borders with Russia and Belarus in addition to Ukraine.
It is a key hub for Western weapons going to Ukraine.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel