On Tuesday, Sikorski was asked about the ongoing conflict on Polsat News operation of Ukrainian troops in the Russian Kursk region and about reports that Ukrainian soldiers would also appear in the second district located on the border with Ukraine – Belgorod.
“Russia is in shock”
I think so Russia is in shock that he stops believing in official propaganda. I think the president Putin pretends this is not a serious crisisbecause it wants to reach the border with the Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts at all costs. But this is an information, political and psychological crisis for Russia. It seems to me that the Ukrainians are cleverly and courageously carrying out an operation that has already achieved some goals, and may even achieve its tactical goal, in my opinion – which is to force the Russians to transfer their forces. – said Sikorski.
As he stressed, “Of course we don’t know – it’s very good that we do know. we don’t know – what are the Ukrainian plans“. The fact that this operation in the Kursk region was kept secret, unlike last year’s counteroffensive, was part of its success. So It’s great that Ukrainians surprisethat Putin does not know where the next attack will come from and with what force – he said. When asked whether Polish authorities and allies had advance information about Ukrainian plans, Sikorski denied it.
Sikorski on Trump’s words
The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was also asked about the recent statement by the Republican candidate for the US presidency Donald Trumpwho stated that the allies of NATO should spend at least 3% of its GDP on weapons to be able to count on US support. In response, Sikorski recalled that President Andrzej Duda had this idea a few months ago.
I think this idea is risky. Almost most countries have reached 2% GDP, and we are already raising the bar. – said Sikorski. If Donald Trump says he won’t defend those who spend less than he says, so be it. above the 3% ceiling are the USA, Poland and GreeceDo we really want such an alliance? – he added.
When asked about another statement by Trump about the need to “pay off arrears” to allies who cannot meet the spending cap, Sikorski noted that “there is a suggestion here that NATO member states owe this money to the United States.” But this is not so – they should spend it on their own defense. Moreover, making the implementation of the Alliance treaty dependent on financial expenditures is unrealistic. – Sikorski noted. He recalled that, for example, the allies Iceland does not have its own armed forces and defense budget.
“We did not send the bill to Washington.”
When we send a brigade to Iraq, then another, on some rotation, to Afghanistan, that’s it. We do not send the bill to Washington. Only the US was attacked by Al Qaeda; we made a joint and allied decision that we would go to war based on art. 5 and in NATO everyone pays for themselves and no one sets conditions for anyone – Sikorski emphasized.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine began offensive operation in Kursk Oblast August 6. The commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army, General Oleksandr Syrski, announced last week that area occupied in the oblast by Ukrainian forces increased to 1,263 square kilometers, and the number of cities they control – to 93. On Tuesday, information began to appear in the media and on social networks, according to which Ukrainian soldiers were also expected to appear in the Belgorod Oblast, located further east, north of Ukrainian Kharkov,