The Polish Foreign Minister does not want to know anything about a peace conference in Ukraine. New warning strikes in Germany affect tens of thousands of air travelers

The foreign minister of Ukraine’s most important European ally strikes an undiplomatic tone. Radoslaw Sikorski, a close confidant of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, strongly warned against an end to Western arms aid to Ukraine during a visit to Washington this week.

Washington faces a choice, Sikorski said during a round of talks with selected media professionals: either the US supports the Ukrainian government. Or America will soon have to move troops to Poland’s eastern border to protect the NATO member from a Russian attack.

For Sikorski, there are no doubts. If Russian President Vladimir Putin were to achieve the goal of his campaign in Ukraine – “the extermination” of the country – he would target Poland. With the help of conscripted Ukrainian soldiers. “If Putin threatens us, he means it,” the longtime Polish foreign minister said at an event organized by the publication Christian Science Monitor.

Russia is not adhering to agreements, says Sikorski

The Polish Foreign Minister believes that the chances of success for a peace conference in Ukraine, such as the one to be held in Switzerland in the spring or summer, are slim. When asked the CH Media correspondent’s question, Sikorski replied dryly, “Negotiations require a certain level of trust between the parties involved.”

In recent years, however, Russia has done everything it can to break written agreements on Ukraine’s territorial integrity; In this context, Sikorski referred to the 2014 annexation of Crimea as the “Anschluss,” using the historically charged German word. The Pole continued: “And if you were Ukrainian, you could be forgiven for not having so much confidence in the other party and that the next contract with you will be honored.”

When later asked by a New York Times journalist, Sikorski confirmed, “I have not heard anything about the intention to hold peace talks.” In any case, President Putin has no such intentions.

In this context, Sikorski also criticized the Pope. In a recently broadcast conversation with Ticino radio RSI, Francis called on Ukraine to “show the courage to raise the white flag.” Sikorski said: “It is important that we never forget who is the aggressor and who is the victim. Ukraine does not occupy Russian territory.”

Sikorski acknowledged that European Union members must take more responsibility for the continent’s defense. But the contours of a new transatlantic partnership are already visible, he said. “Europe is crucial on the financial side, while the US is crucial on the military level, in the supply of weapons.”

If Ukraine wins, the ‘Russian Empire’ will be over

Sikorski said the war must end with the unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. And he was convinced that Putin’s defeat would herald “the end of the Russian empire.”

The Polish chief diplomat does not take seriously the Russian president’s threatening gestures that he would use nuclear weapons in Ukraine if necessary. “President Putin has discovered that it is not easy to use nuclear weapons,” Sikorski said. He also assumes that China and India have “played their hand” against the Russian ruler after his recent threats.

He made a direct appeal to Speaker Mike Johnson, the leader of the US House of Representatives, to allow a vote on the next aid package for Ukraine. Sikorski reminded Johnson, a devout Christian from the American South, that Russia targeted Baptists and Orthodox Christians in the occupied Ukrainian territories. ‘I hope he takes note of that. Ukraine is a much more tolerant country than today’s Russia.”