The key facts

  • Sikorski allowed for the restoration of Poland-Russia relations after the end of the conflict in Ukraine if Moscow changes its policy
  • Earlier, the minister demanded the participation of Poland and other Eastern European countries in talks on Ukraine
  • In his view, the talks should go through EU institutions or a coalition of European countries

Condition for normalization

Poland is ready to restore relations with Russia after the conflict in Ukraine ends, provided Moscow changes its course. This was stated by Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski in an interview with SprawdzamTo. He noted that some Polish politicians do not 'even entertain the thought that when the other side changes its policy, we change ours as well'.

Demand for a seat at the negotiating table

The statement about possible normalization complements the position Sikorski voiced the day before: he warned allies against negotiating with Russia without the participation of Eastern European countries. According to him, Finland, Norway and the Baltic states border Russia, while Poland borders both Russia and Ukraine, so it 'must sit at the negotiating table' on Ukraine. The minister saw the format of such talks either through institutions provided for by EU treaties, such as the European Council, or through a coalition of countries that would represent the European continent.

Context

Thus, the Polish minister's acceptance of normalization is tied to two conditions: a change in Moscow's policy and the end of the conflict in Ukraine, while, in his view, the negotiation process itself should not proceed without the countries of the region. Earlier, the German Foreign Minister called on the US and Europe to present a united front against Russia.