Polish FM calls for readiness in face of possible Russian aggression
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has said that Europe must brace itself for a possible Russian military invasion by the year 2030, although chances of Moscow winning the war in Ukraine are low.
"Russia can't win against Ukraine alone yet, and therefore, it wouldn’t be ready for a wider offensive immediately," Sikorski said on Monday in an interview with Polish radio station Tok FM. "However, if Ukraine were forced to surrender - perhaps due to Russia seizing Ukraine's industrial and human resources, including the largest army on our side in Europe, the Ukrainian army - then the situation would change significantly. Therefore, we must prepare for Russia's potential for aggression within the timeframe of this decade."
Sikorski's remarks align with those of the British prime minister, Keir Starmer, who expressed scepticism regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin in comments to The New York Times. Starmer indicated that Moscow would likely be poised for another military incursion once Ukraine becomes vulnerable.
Meanwhile, the US continued its attempts to negotiate the details of a partial ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia during talks with Moscow in Saudi Arabia. The meeting began earlier on Monday, a day after the American delegation held discussions with Ukrainian officials on a ceasefire in the Black Sea and a pause to Russian attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure.
Sunday's talks marked the second round of Saudi-hosted negotiations between Ukraine and the US this month in their bid to end the three-year-long full-scale Russian invasion. According to Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, Sunday's discussions with the US delegation were "productive."
Sikorski expressed optimism that the negotiations would lead to a ceasefire.
"Ukrainians think that this warmth in (US -PAP) relations with Russia would help the negotiations (between the US and Russia - PAP), but we should remember that Ukraine is the victim of aggression," the diplomat added.
According to him, the most crucial aspect of the talks is ensuring Ukraine can continue resisting and survive the war as a country that controls the majority of its territory. (PAP)
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