Poland’s Foreign Minister, Radosław Sikorski, stated that Europe should not plan for a unified military force but should instead focus on strengthening individual national armies. In an interview with state broadcaster TVP World, Sikorski emphasized that the proposal by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to establish a common European army is unlikely to come to fruition.
He argued that Europe should pursue solutions that enhance national military capacities rather than attempting to unify them. Sikorski further clarified that the term “European army” can be misinterpreted and should not imply the merging of national forces.
While Sikorski supports the idea of the European Union developing its defense capabilities, he advocates for strengthening the NATO component of defense, alongside the establishment of an EU defense initiative, including subsidies for the military industry to enhance production capacities.
Sikorski also stated that Polish forces will not be deployed in Ukraine, as Poland’s NATO obligations focus on protecting its eastern flank. He expressed concerns about the potential reduction of U.S. troops in Europe, which has led to uncertainty among European leaders regarding decisions related to the Ukraine conflict.
In the past, Sikorski has called for sanctions against Russia and the creation of a 5,000-soldier mechanized brigade. Poland allocates four percent of its GDP to defense and believes other NATO countries should follow suit.
