Sikorski’s address came on the first day of his visit to New York for the opening of the 80th UN General Assembly session, at a meeting called at Estonia’s request.
Poland’s top diplomat highlighted Russia’s provocative actions, including the violation of Polish airspace by drones and the illegal entry of three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets into Estonia.
The Polish deputy prime minister criticised Moscow’s escalating behaviour, saying it exposed the weakness of the Russian regime, which has struggled with the political, social, and economic consequences of its war against Ukraine.
“I have only one request to the Russian government: if another missile or aircraft enters our airspace without permission, deliberately or by mistake, and gets shot down, with the wreckage falling on NATO territory, please do not come here to whine about it. You have been warned,” Sikorski said.
The head of the Polish Foreign Ministry called on the Security Council to condemn Russia and show solidarity with all nations threatened by Kremlin provocations, while reaffirming Poland’s right to self-defence.
Kasparov lauds Sikorski’s blunt approach
Kasparov welcomed Sikorski’s directness, quoting former US President Harry Truman: “He doesn’t give them hell, he just tells the truth and they think it’s hell!”
The Russian dissident said Sikorski’s forthright assessment of Moscow’s actions highlighted the stark reality of Russian aggression and showed how speaking truth to power can provoke strong reactions from those being criticised.
Kasparov is a former world chess champion and multiple grandmaster titleholder (1985–2000), a staunch critic of Vladimir Putin, and was briefly a prospective presidential candidate in Russia in 2008.
He served as chairman of the Human Rights Foundation from 2011 to 2024 and founded the Renew Democracy Initiative (RDI) in 2017, an American organisation promoting and defending liberal democracy, where he currently serves as chairman.
Analysts back Sikorski’s UN remarks
Sikorski’s comments also drew praise from other experts and analysts worldwide.
Peter Doran of the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies wrote on social media: “The Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs is rising to the occasion. This is a HISTORIC speech before the UN Security Council. You speak on behalf of all friends of freedom here, truly. Bravo, Radek.”
Read more about this topic:
(mp)
Source: MFA Poland/X/@Kasparov63/@PeterBDoran