Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, in an interview with Der Spiegel, outlined a vision of Poland as a key player in the European Union. The head of diplomacy emphasized that the traditional Franco-German engine is no longer sufficient for managing the continent. Simultaneously, Warsaw is intensifying efforts to seek war reparations from Russia, examining the effects of Soviet domination, and strengthening its position as a regional energy hub for embattled Ukraine.

New Leadership in the EU

Minister Radosław Sikorski believes that Germany and France are too weak to govern Europe, which increases the role of Poland.

Claims Against Russia

Poland is preparing a claim for reparations from Russia for the period of Soviet domination after 1945.

Energy Security

Poland is becoming a northern gas gateway for Ukraine, supplying electricity and raw materials on commercial terms.

The head of Polish diplomacy, Radosław Sikorski, made a bold assertion in the German weekly Der Spiegel, stating that Germany and France have lost the ability to lead Europe on their own. According to the minister, both countries no longer even have a blocking minority, which opens space for new leaders, including Poland. Sikorski noted that Europe must "breathe with two lungs" – eastern and western – and Warsaw, being one of the world's 20 largest economies, intends to actively represent the interests of its region. This statement coincides with growing pressure on Berlin regarding greater responsibility for the continent's security. After the European Union's enlargement in 2004 by ten new states, including Poland, the center of gravity of European politics began gradually shifting eastward, a trend particularly highlighted by Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine in 2022.Simultaneously, the topic of reparations has returned to public discourse, this time directed against Russia. The government of Donald Tusk commissioned the War Losses Institute to analyze damages resulting from post-war Soviet domination. Experts indicate this process will be significantly more difficult than with Germany, as it encompasses over four decades of USSR influence. In the opposition camp, Mariusz Błaszczak criticized these actions, accusing the government of submissiveness towards Berlin and questioning the effectiveness of current foreign policy. 1.3 trillion euros — was the amount of Polish claims against Germany for World War IIIn the economic dimension, Poland is becoming a strategic energy partner for Ukraine. Deputy Energy Minister Miłosz Motyka announced that Poland could serve as a "northern gas gateway" for the region, replacing Russian raw materials with supplies from the USA and Canada. The minister emphasized that energy aid for Kyiv operates on market principles. Meanwhile, media reports indicate a sharp increase in US military presence in the Azores, which, combined with the debate over a European nuclear arsenal, points to rising tension in the sphere of geopolitics. Russia: 5580, USA: 5044, France: 290, United Kingdom: 225

Mentioned People

  • Radosław Sikorski — Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, who gave an interview to Der Spiegel about the new balance of power in Europe.
  • Miłosz Motyka — Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment, responsible for energy relations with Ukraine.
  • Mariusz Błaszczak — Former Minister of National Defence, criticizing the current government's foreign policy.