In an interview with the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Sikorski criticized the assumption that Germany, France and the United Kingdom should automatically take the lead in representing Europe during talks on Ukraine.
"We are neighbors of both Russia and Ukraine, while Germany is not," Sikorski said, emphasizing Poland’s geographic proximity to the conflict and its direct security interests.
The foreign minister argued that countries located between the Baltic, Black and Adriatic seas have a particularly strong stake in the outcome of the war. He noted that the region is home to around 120 million European Union citizens, a figure that rises to approximately 150 million when the Nordic countries are included.
According to Sikorski, these nations face a greater risk from potential Russian aggression than Germany, France or the United Kingdom, making their participation in peace negotiations essential.
Sikorski also highlighted Poland’s role as a key logistical hub for military assistance to Ukraine. Much of the Western military equipment and aid destined for Kyiv passes through Polish territory, placing the country on what he described as the "front line" of support for Ukraine.
"Poland bears significant risks and therefore deserves a place at the negotiating table," he said.
Ahead of a meeting in Berlin on Wednesday involving the so-called E5 group, comprising the leaders of Poland, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Italy, Sikorski suggested that existing European Union institutions could be used to represent the bloc in negotiations.
He pointed specifically to the president of the European Council as a possible representative.
(aj/gs)
Source: IAR; Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung