EuroNews (English)

Russian attack on NATO would end in defeat for Moscow, Polish foreign minister says

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Euronews

A Russian attack on NATO would end in defeat for Moscow, but NATO must increase its defences, Poland’s Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski told parliament on Thursday.

Sikorski was describing the new foreign policy direction of Prime Minister Donald Tusk's government, explaining to a world audience and those at home how Poland's priorities have changed since last year's election.

He said Poland wants to return to the group of countries which sets the agenda of the European Union.

Tusk’s government replaced a conservati­ve administra­tion, led by the right-wing Law and Justice party. While Law and Justice stressed the importance of ties with the US, it took a sometimes confrontat­ional stance toward the European Union and in particular Germany, which invaded and occupied Poland during World War II.

Conversely, Sikorski argued in his speech that Poland’s developmen­t and security should be based both on Trans-Atlantic cooperatio­n 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, accusing the previous Law and Justice government of choosing confrontat­ion.

Poland, a member of NATO and the European Union, is on the eastern ank of both and shares borders with Russia and Belarus in addition to Ukraine. It is a key hub for Western weapons going to Ukraine.

This week Tusk received a visit from NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenber­g and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The latter announced a major increase in military aid to Ukraine as well as committing his country to spending 2.5% of its GDP per year on defence by the end of the decade.

 ?? ?? NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenber­g, left, shakes hands with Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, April 4, 2024.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenber­g, left, shakes hands with Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, April 4, 2024.

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