– For the war to end, the Russian elites, led by Putin, must come to the conclusion that it cannot be won at an acceptable cost. Transferring the war to Russian territory contributes to this goal, because it shows the Russians that they do not control the situation – said Radosław Sikorski, Minister of Foreign Affairs, in “Kropka nad i”. He noted, however, that “there is a danger that the Russians, who have so far avoided this war, will recognize it as theirs, since Mother Russia has been attacked”. The head of Polish diplomacy was also asked about presidential ambitions.
Minister Radoslaw Sikorski was asked in “Kropka nad i” about the Ukrainian operation in Kursk Oblast in Russia. The head of Polish diplomacy noted that “at the same time, the Russian assault on Pokrovsk, a key logistics hub for Ukrainians in Donbas, is ongoing”. – I talked about this today with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ukraine (Dmytro) Kuleba. We don't know which dynamics will be more important – he replied.
– The fact that Ukrainians entered Russia and surprised Putin, and went through Russian defense lines like butter, is a major event. It gives Ukrainians faith in victory – he assessed.
Asked whether this shows Putin's helplessness, he replied that it “undermines the theses of Russian propaganda”. – It also gives Ukrainians arguments to their Western allies that “you're welcome, we are ready for a counter-offensive, you just have to stop limiting us” – he added.
– The question is which process will be more dynamic, because the Russians are paying with thousands of dead for every few hundred meters of land, and the Ukrainians entered Russia, suffering relatively few casualties, so it seems to me that for now the Ukrainians are successful – said Sikorski.
Ukrainian Air Force Attack in Kursk Oblast, RussiaTelegram/Ukrainian Air Force
Sikorski: Transferring the war to Russian territory shows the Russians that they are not in control of the situation
As he assessed, “for the war to end, the Russian elites, led by Putin, must come to the conclusion that it cannot be won at an acceptable cost.” – And moving the war to the territory of Russia contributes to this goal, because it shows the Russians that they do not control the situation, that it is not like they are planning this meat grinder in Donbas and according to plan, with huge sacrifices, they will win in the end. That this war is not one-way, that there are surprises in it and that Russia does not hold all the cards in its hand – said the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He noted, however, that “there is a danger that the Russians, who have so far avoided this war, will recognize it as theirs, now that Mother Russia has been attacked.”
– But we don't see that. My information shows that Putin has to pay more and more Russians to sign military contracts. He promised Russian mothers that conscripts would not take part in this war, but they are in this war because they were placed on the border where Ukrainians entered – said the head of Polish diplomacy.
– This operation should also force Putin to bring in troops from other regions of Russia, and perhaps from Donbas, to protect other parts of the Russian border. And that relieves the desperately defending Ukrainians – he added.
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Ukrainians have their demands. We cannot fulfill all of them
Sikorski was asked about the words of Volodymyr Zelensky, who stated on Tuesday that Polish military aid for his country had recently decreased slightly. The Ukrainian president recalled that Warsaw had supported Kiev from the first days of the full-scale war, but noted that Poland still had aircraft that could strengthen the defense of his country. – Today, the attention of the Polish side, when it comes to our defense capabilities, has waned a bit. I mean, Poland probably gave us what it could. However, some things remained in Poland. (…) There are specific issues. We really need your MiGs – Zelensky said.
Radosław Sikorski in “The Dot on the i”TVN24
The head of Polish diplomacy emphasized that “Poland is among those countries that have given the most to Ukraine in proportion to GDP.” He added that “we are currently organizing the 45th aid package.”
– They have their demands. We are seriously considering them. We cannot fulfill all of them, which is obvious. Some require cooperation with allies. I cannot say everything – Sikorski emphasized.
When asked whether Ukrainians would receive MiGs, he replied that “that is what I cannot say.”
Sikorski: Kaczyński's statement intrigued me
The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also commented in “Kropka nad i” on the president's statement PIS Jaroslaw Kaczynski regarding the potential candidate of this group for president. As Kaczyński said, he must be “young, tall, impressive, handsome”. – Voters set these image requirements high. He must have a family. He must know English very well. It would be best if he knew two languages - he added.
READ MORE: Kaczyński: A presidential candidate must be “impressive”. He cannot imagine a “model lady”
– I must say that this statement intrigued me, because on the one hand, the president said exactly that, and on the other hand, he said that the ideal candidate for his nomination would be Mariusz Blaszczakwho doesn't quite meet these criteria, does he? – said Sikorski. He added that “he's not a youngster.”
– But a moment of seriousness (…). I think we have to decide whether we are looking for a good candidate or a good president. Whether, as the president said, someone cool for cool times, or the commander-in-chief of the armed forces for difficult times, for wartime, or whether we are looking for someone as president who will save Poland from the ravages of war. And this is the choice – he emphasized.
Sikorski a presidential candidate? “Every politician carries a baton in his schoolbag”
Sikorski was also asked if he wanted to be KO's candidate for president. “I've already told you what the criteria are. Is it coolness for cool times or a certain toughness of character for hard times? The Poles will decide on that,” he noted.
The host of the program, Monika Olejnik, asked him if he “has the strength to cope with difficult times.” – We've been to wars, but it seems to me that the prime minister (Donald) Tusk he already said what the parameters are for him. Of course, our priority is to win – he replied.
He added that “priority number one is to win, to have unity of executive power,” and “priority (number) two is the survival of our coalition.” – There are talks about whether we want a candidate from one party, whether we will compete with each other within the coalition, or maybe we could choose a common candidate – he admitted.
Asked if he could be such a joint candidate, he replied: – Please do not persuade me to such trips. If I want to announce it, I will announce it not in a public affairs program.
– Prime Minister Tusk said that the decision would be made around the end of the year – he added.
Asked if he had such a desire or was considering such a step, Sikorski replied: – I think every politician carries a baton in his schoolbag.
Main image source: TVN24