Polish Foreign Minister Warns of Chaotic and Conflict-Driven World

18 June 20262 Minute Read

Radek Sikorski, Poland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister tells RUSI audience 'this is not the world Western Europeans tried to build after 1945. It is also not the world central Europeans expected to join after 1989.'

In a speech that followed the recent signing of the Northolt Treaty between Poland and the UK, His Excellency Radek Sikorski called for 'deeper, more flexible and serious cooperation' amongst European nations to address the challenges they face.

He noted that while the Northolt Treaty was bilateral, its implications extend further and '[i]t can generate beneficial spillover effects across organisations to which we [Poland the UK] both belong, including NATO. Even the mightiest European countries, those that have been described as too big for Europe, are too small for the world. Alone, we are all vulnerable. Together, we're a force to be reckoned with.'

CreditRUSI | His Excellency Radosław Sikorski with Rachel Ellehuus, RUSI Director-General

CreditRUSI | His Excellency Radosław Sikorski gives his address at RUSI

Touching on different formats for cooperation including the so-called E3 of Britain, France and Germany and the Joint Expeditionary Force, he concluded by calling for recognition of the threats faced by Europe and for action, saying:

'Crying wolf when the danger is not out there is foolish. It undermines trust. Crying bear when the beast is already at the door is not foolish. It's a rallying cry. We should prepare to follow it. Britain and Poland can and will do this together.'

RUSI Members can watch a recording of the speech below.