Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister, Radosław Sikorski, recently visited London for discussions with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell. A significant aspect of his visit was his address to the House of Commons, during which he presented a Shahed-136 drone as evidence of the threats posed by Russia in its ongoing aggression against Ukraine. He indicated that while this particular drone cannot reach London, a fleet of such drones poses a serious risk to critical infrastructure.
Minister Sikorski further asserted that the United Kingdom, like other NATO member states, is not immune to the hybrid warfare tactics employed by Vladimir Putin. He emphasised the necessity for a coordinated response among allies to counter these threats effectively. Additionally, he raised concerns regarding challenges faced by Poland, including illegal migration from Belarus and increasing incidents of attacks on financial institutions and healthcare facilities.
“We do not know what else Vladimir Putin will come up with to test us, but we need to face this together and we are doing it. (…) We need to convince Putin that we are ready to stay the course (…), that Ukraine will not be abandoned, that she will have the resources to keep the Ukrainian state, army, and defence industry going. And then Russia can be made to change course,” the Polish deputy prime minister said.
Russia historically tends to undergo reforms only following a military defeat, he highlighted. Consequently, Russia needs to experience a loss in the current conflict, which would benefit Ukraine, uphold European peace, and serve Russia’s long-term interests.
Radosław Sikorski cited significant instances of Russia’s military defeats in history, including the Crimean War and the Russo-Japanese War. He also referenced the September incident in which Russian drones violated Polish airspace, leading to the interception of 21 drones by Polish and Dutch air forces. The efficacy of NATO’s drone detection systems and Air Policing was commendably demonstrated during this event, ensuring a swift and effective response to the incursions.
“Our society turned out to be resilient, and our alliances—strong,” said Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski.
The foreign minister’s visit to London included a round table discussion with representatives from leading British think tanks, such as Chatham House and RUSI. During a meeting with the British Foreign Secretary, the two focused on enhancing Poland-UK bilateral cooperation, particularly on the Defence and Security Treaty. Additionally, they discussed broader security matters, support for Ukraine, and defence cooperation within the North Atlantic Alliance.
