Ukraine war: 'This war could be ended in five minutes by Russia' - Poland's foreign minister

Summary

In an interview, the Polish Foreign Minister discusses Ukraine's defense against Russia's invasion, asserting Ukraine's right to defend its territory under international law. He emphasizes that Russia's war can be ended quickly if Putin withdraws, but Ukraine must continue defending itself. The Minister rejects the idea of Ukraine surrendering territory, citing the importance of international borders. He also touches on the broader impacts of global conflicts, including tensions with China and the Israeli-Palestinian situation, emphasizing Poland's stance on defending international rules and maintaining strong alliances with the U.S.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The Foreign Minister emphasized Ukraine's right to defend itself on Russian territory, citing international law.
• 🪖 Ukraine's recent psychological victory in surprising Russia shows the war is not one-sided, despite Russia's current advantage on land.
• 📞 The Foreign Minister suggested that the war could end if Putin ordered a withdrawal, though this is not expected soon.
• 🏛️ Poland advocates for continued support of Ukraine and stresses that no territory should be ceded to Russia.
• 🛡️ The international community has a legal duty to counter aggression and uphold Ukraine's recognized borders.
• 💥 Russian aggression has resulted in many Ukrainian and Russian casualties, with Russia facing significant economic strain from the war.
• ⚖️ There is hope that Russia, historically, reforms after losing wars, and a Ukrainian victory could bring changes in Russia.
• 🇵🇱 Poland, having been invaded by Russia many times, strongly supports deterring Putin to prevent further aggression.
• 💼 Public support in Europe for Ukraine is solid, even if there are political differences.
• 🇨🇳 Rivalry with China is a complex issue, and while Europe supports the US, sudden decoupling from China would be economically disastrous.

Q & A

What was Ukraine's stance on defending its territory, according to the Foreign Minister?

The Foreign Minister emphasized that Ukraine has the right to defend itself, including on the aggressor’s territory, as per international law. He rejected the notion that Ukraine should give up any of its territory.

How did the Foreign Minister view Russia’s position in the war?

The Foreign Minister argued that Russia cannot count on winning the war, as Ukraine has shown the ability to surprise and take the initiative, even after Russia gained advantages on land.

What would Poland suggest as the endgame for the war?

Poland suggests that the war could end in five minutes if President Putin orders his forces to withdraw from Ukraine. The Foreign Minister stressed that the responsibility for ending the war lies with Russia.

What was the Foreign Minister's reaction to the suggestion that Ukraine should negotiate and give up part of its territory?

The Foreign Minister strongly disagreed with this suggestion, questioning why anyone would expect Ukraine to surrender its territory. He insisted on continuing support for Ukraine as the victim of aggression.

How did the Foreign Minister address the issue of international law and agreements with Russia?

The Foreign Minister pointed out that Ukraine and Russia have a border treaty, and Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons in exchange for security guarantees from Russia, the US, and Britain. He emphasized the importance of maintaining respect for internationally recognized borders.

What did the Foreign Minister say about the future role of the United States, especially with potential political changes?

The Foreign Minister noted that there are mixed messages from the US political landscape. While Kamala Harris supports continuing NATO’s policies, some in the Republican camp suggest ending the war by escalating assistance to Ukraine.

How does the Foreign Minister see the possibility of Russia sustaining its war effort?

The Foreign Minister acknowledged that Russia is destroying its national wealth to finance the war and questioned how long they could sustain it, considering the high number of Russian soldiers dying daily.

What was the Foreign Minister's opinion on Ukraine's support from the European Union and the United States?

The Foreign Minister stated that the EU has supported Ukraine with around 120 billion euros, while the US has provided 90 billion, mainly in weapons. He believes Europe should continue to increase support to avoid greater costs if Putin advances further.

How does the Foreign Minister perceive Russia's history of losing wars and its impact on internal reforms?

The Foreign Minister noted that after losing wars, Russia has historically undergone reforms. He mentioned examples such as the Crimean War, the war with Japan, and the Soviet Union’s war in Afghanistan leading to significant internal changes.

What links did the Foreign Minister draw between the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza?

The Foreign Minister pointed out that both Ukraine and Israel are being attacked with Iranian drones and missiles. He expressed Poland’s sympathy for both the Palestinians and Israel, stressing the importance of peaceful coexistence through a two-state solution.