Radosław Sikorski pointed out that subsequent US administrations tried to seek an agreement with the Kremlin, but it always ended in the same way.
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“The more you give to Moscow, the more it demands.” Radosław Sikorski explains
— The more you offer Moscow, the more it demands – said the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The minister recalled that on September 10, over 20 Russian drones invaded Polish airspace. — It was a provocation organized by the Russian regime – he said. Just a week later, three Russian fighter jets violated Estonian airspace.
— These incidents show that the Kremlin is not looking for peace, but escalation – he wrote.
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Sikorski recalled that President Donald Trump made numerous peace attempts towards Russia: he appointed a special envoy for peacekeeping missions, sent diplomats to neutral meetings, and even publicly appealed to Putin: “STOP!” When that didn't work, he offered to meet him one-on-one in Alaska.
— Putin accepted the invitation, but not to negotiate – he wanted to buy time – said Sikorski.
Russia increases war spending
— The arithmetic of war speaks for itself – emphasized the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As he reported, Russia plans:
- $190 billion in military spending in 2025 (plus 3.4% year-on-year),
- as much as 40 percent defense and security budget in 2026,
- increase in the number of soldiers on the front in Ukraine to 150,000.
According to Sikorski, Putin's goal is still “rebuilding the empire, undermining transatlantic security and dividing the West“.
The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recalls the lesson from the Reagan era
Sikorski recalled the example of Ronald Reagan's negotiations with Mikhail Gorbachev. — The talks were only possible because Reagan had previously exploited the USSR's weakness by exerting strong military and economic pressure, supporting, among other things, Solidarity and the Afghan mujahideen, he wrote.
Conditions for dialogue with Russia According to Sikorski, the first stage is a show of force and pressure, and the second stage – negotiations only afterwards.
— Putin is not yet under such pressure to sit down at the real negotiation table – assesses.
How to force the Kremlin to talk? Radosław Sikorski responds
Sikorski points to two key actions: further financial and military support for Ukraine and weakening the foundations of the Russian economy. He also proposes that Hungary and Slovakia – “acolytes of the MAGA movement” – stop buying Russian oil and use over $200 billion of Russian assets frozen in Europe to help Ukraine.
In conclusion, Sikorski wrote that Russia should take care of its own territory instead of trying to rebuild “the last empire in Europe”. “This attempt is doomed to failure,” he concluded.
