Latest news with #Sikorski
Al-Ahram Weekly
12 hours ago
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt, Poland FMs discuss regional developments - Foreign Affairs
Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Badr Abdelatty, discussed the latest developments in the Middle East, with a particular focus on Gaza, with his Polish counterpart, Radosław Sikorski, in a phone call on Thursday. The two ministers reviewed the positive momentum in Egyptian-Polish relations over the past few years. They expressed mutual interest in further elevating ties by boosting bilateral trade and increasing Polish investments in Egypt. The call also included a follow-up on the outcomes of Minister Sikorski's recent visit to Cairo in April 2025. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continuing bilateral institutional mechanisms, including the Joint Economic Committee. Abdelatty praised Poland's leadership during its current presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2025 and welcomed the recent decision by the European Council — supported by a majority of EU member states — to approve the disbursement of the second tranche of EU financial assistance to Egypt, amounting to €4 billion. He expressed appreciation for Poland's supportive role within various EU institutions, particularly during its presidency. The call also covered regional developments. Abdelatty briefed his counterpart on Egypt's communications to help stabilize the ceasefire between Iran and Israel and de-escalate tensions across the region. He emphasized the urgent need for both parties to uphold the ceasefire in the interest of regional security and stability. For his part, Sikorski expressed Poland's deep appreciation for Egypt's active role in promoting regional peace and security. He also thanked Egypt for its tireless efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire in Gaza as well as between Iran and Israel. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Poland says arms race could lead to Putin's fall
Russian President Vladimir Putin is "waging a very expensive war" in Ukraine, said Poland's foreign minister. PHOTO: AFP WARSAW - Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said June 26 that a new arms race could lead to the fall of Russian President Vladimir Putin's 'regime', just like it toppled the Soviet Union. The Nato member's top diplomat spoke after the Western defence alliance agreed to massively ramp up defence spending, seen as vital to counter the threat from Russia. 'Putin should understand that he is on the path of (Soviet leader Leonid) Brezhnev. He himself once said that the Soviet Union collapsed because it spent too much on armament, and now he is doing exactly the same thing,' Mr Sikorski said, in an interview with AFP, the Polish news agency PAP and German agency DPA. 'He is waging a very expensive war... scared the whole West into reinforcing its defence spending,' Mr Sikorski said, adding: 'We are doing it because Putin is threatening us'. 'This means that from an economy the size of Texas, Putin will have to squeeze out even more defence funds. Hopefully with a similar result for the regime (to that of the Soviet Union), but faster.' Nato's 32 countries agreed to US President Donald Trump's headline target of 5 per cent of GDP on defence spending following two days of talks in The Hague. The compromise hatched by Nato sees countries promise to dedicate 3.5 per cent of GDP to core military spending by 2035, and a further 1.5 per cent to broader security-related areas such as infrastructure. Underpinning the leaders' discussions on defence was Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, with the summit's final statement referring to the 'long-term threat posed by Russia to Euro-Atlantic security'. Mr Trump also signed off on a final declaration confirming an 'ironclad commitment' to Nato's collective defence pledge that an attack on one is an attack on all – a reassuring move for European countries worried about Russia. 'Trump understands' Fearing threats from neighbouring Russia, Poland has for several years rapidly modernised its military, with a string of arms contracts, mainly with the United States and South Korea. It has already earmarked 4.7 per cent of its GDP for military expenditure this year, and in 2026 it aims to raise it further. Mr Sikorski said 'Trump understands now that it is Russia that does not want an end to the war' in Ukraine, which began with Russia's invasion in February 2022. He said that at the Nato summit, 'I drew attention to the fact that this shows a lack of respect on the part of Vladimir Putin towards the peace initiatives of President Trump'. Poland's foreign affairs minister, Mr Radoslaw Sikorski, said US President Donald Trump understands that Russia does not want an end to its war in Ukraine. PHOTO: AFP Mr Sikorski also hailed Germany – Europe's biggest economy – for its efforts to boost its military. This week Germany revealed plans to reach the 3.5 per cent level for core spending six years early, in 2029, with the vast extra outlays necessary made possible after the country eased its rules on taking on debt. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has vowed to build Europe's 'strongest conventional army' to counter the growing threat from Moscow. Mr Sikorski said 'we are good allies and we need to build a kind of force that will not scare anybody but that will deter Putin'. 'And I would see the need to counter the Russian missile threat from the Kaliningrad exclave as an urgent Polish-German challenge,' he added. Poland shares a border with Russia's heavily militarised Kaliningrad exclave. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Germany and Poland plan closer cooperation despite recent election
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and his Polish counterpart Radosław Sikorski plan to advance cooperation between their two countries despite the victory of eurosceptic Karol Nawrocki in the Polish presidential election. "I assume that we will continue to work together very closely and amicably," Wadephul said on Wednesday during a meeting with Sikorski in Berlin. "Our ties are so strong that democratic elections here or there do not call them into question in any way." The cooperation also applies to France within the Weimar Triangle, for example in coordinating support for Ukraine, Wadephul said. The trilateral group, established in 1991, includes France, Germany and Poland, and is designed to promote cooperation among the three. Nawrocki, who was backed by the conservative nationalist Law and Justice party (PiS), had campaigned with anti-German and anti-European rhetoric. But Wadephul said the German-Polish partnership is so close and solid that he has no doubts that joint future and defence projects could be realized. Poland, he said, had held democratic elections. Germans and Poles are friends, "and we want to continue that," the German foreign minister added. Sikorski: Government controls foreign policy Sikorski described it as a sign of democracy that a representative of the opposition had won the presidential election in Poland. Similar to Germany, the president in Poland is not the head of government but a representative of the country abroad. He implements the policies set by the government. While the Polish president has more powers than the German president, including a veto right, "foreign policy is the responsibility of the government," Sikorski said. Wadephul: Defence and infrastructure are key topics Wadephul highlighted European air defence as a security guarantee for citizens and the advancement of European defence cooperation as key areas for expanding collaboration. This, he said, requires "concrete projects, industrial partnerships and political will that does not stop at national borders." A resilient Europe, he added, also requires efficient infrastructure. Roads, railways and bridges are "not just transport routes but lifelines for our security, including between Germany and Poland." At the same time, these investments would tangibly improve the daily lives of people in Poland, Germany and across Europe, he said.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Germany, Poland want closer cooperation despite recent election
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and his Polish counterpart Radosław Sikorski want to advance cooperation between their two countries despite the victory of eurosceptic Karol Nawrocki in the Polish presidential election. "I assume that we will continue to work together very closely and amicably," Wadephul said on Wednesday during a meeting with Sikorski in Berlin. "Our ties are so strong that democratic elections here or there do not call them into question in any way." The cooperation also applies to France within the Weimar Triangle, for example in coordinating support for Ukraine, Wadephul said. The trilateral group, established in 1991, includes France, Germany and Poland, and is designed to promote cooperation among the three. Nawrocki, who was backed by the conservative nationalist Law and Justice party (PiS), had campaigned with anti-German and anti-European rhetoric. But Wadephul said the German-Polish partnership is so close and solid that he has no doubts that joint future and defence projects could be realized. Poland, he said, had held democratic elections. Germans and Poles are friends, "and we want to continue that," the German foreign minister added. Sikorski: Government controls foreign policy Sikorski described it as a sign of democracy that a representative of the opposition had won the presidential election in Poland. Similar to Germany, the president in Poland is not the head of government but a representative of the country abroad. He implements the policies set by the government. While the Polish president has more powers than the German president, including a veto right, "foreign policy is the responsibility of the government," Sikorski said.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Warsaw has no plans to deploy its troops to Ukraine, says Polish foreign minister
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has said that there are no plans to send Polish soldiers to Ukraine, following a statement by US President Donald Trump's special envoy on Ukraine, Keith Kellogg. Source: European Pravda, citing Polish news magazine Wprost Details: On Tuesday 13 May, Kellogg noted that the deployment of foreign forces, including Polish troops, west of the Dnipro River is being discussed as part of a potential settlement following the end of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine. Quote from Sikorski: "Stop manipulating." Details: Sikorski believes that Kellogg "over-interpreted" the idea that Poland could take part in such an operation, if it goes ahead. "But, as the defence minister, the prime minister and I have stated many times, our participation in the operation will not include the presence of Polish soldiers on Ukrainian soil," Sikorski said. The Polish foreign minister noted that, from Warsaw's perspective, the issue would involve aerial support, protection of a logistics hub and the defence of over 600 km of border with Russia and Belarus to safeguard the troops heading to Ukraine. Background: Polish National Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz also denied that Warsaw intends to deploy its forces in Ukraine as part of a postwar settlement between Kyiv and Moscow. Jarosław Kaczyński, leader of Poland's largest opposition party, accused Prime Minister Donald Tusk of "deception" over the possible deployment of Polish troops in Ukraine, following Kellogg's statement. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
