Poland’s Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau gave a speech at the Sejm on the goals of Poland’s foreign policy in 2023. He stressed that we were witnessing a historical change, which meant we had to answer a question „what kind of world we want for Poland, what international order is the best for our country”. „Vladimir Putin chose war, violating the fundamental norms of international law; in this situation, the goal of our policy is to bring about a situation in which it will be clear to everyone that his choice will lead Russia to a strategic defeat, and Ukraine will win,” he said.
„Our foreign policy pursued two goals. First, we sought to mobilize the international community to react decisively if Russia resumed its aggression. Secondly, on behalf of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, over which I took presidency in January last year, we tried to influence the Russian government to abandon plans to resume the war,” Rau stressed.
„President Putin rejected peace and chose war, violating fundamental norms of the international law, including the Charter of the United Nations. In this situation, the goal of our policy is to bring about a situation in which it will be clear to everyone that this choice will lead Russia to a strategic defeat, and Ukraine will win, survive and move the spectre of war away from our borders,” Rau said.
The Minister stressed that Poland seeks to restore peace in Europe, bring back respect to the norms of international law and create further systemic barriers protecting Poland from the ”return of imperialism.”
He stressed that in pursuit of this goal, Poland cooperates with allies from the transatlantic community, as well friends outside Europe. He noted that they include Japan, South Korea and Australia.
Jacek Perzyński