During an interview with MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski voiced agreement with former President Donald Trump’s assertion that European nations must bear the financial burden of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
While Mitchell attempted to prompt criticism of Trump for suggesting withholding aid for Ukraine and implying support for Russian aggression against NATO member states that fail to meet financial commitments, Sikorski instead emphasized the importance of increased defense spending in Europe.
Sikorski acknowledged Trump’s stance, stating, “He’s right that we should be spending more in Europe.” He highlighted Poland’s substantial defense expenditure, exceeding 3% of GDP, and emphasized the significant defense contracts Poland has with the United States, totaling $50 billion.
Trump had previously indicated a willingness to withhold aid from Ukraine and stated that he would “encourage” Russian President Vladimir Putin to act as he pleased if NATO countries did not fulfill their financial obligations. Sikorski expressed hope that such statements were merely rhetorical and underscored Poland’s commitment to defense.
Mitchell raised concerns about the potential for a Russian invasion of Poland, a NATO ally, to which Sikorski noted historical precedents but emphasized Putin’s ability to swiftly end the conflict.
Trump’s decision to withhold military aid to Ukraine in 2019 came under scrutiny during a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during which Trump reportedly discussed investigating then-presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, who served on the board of a Ukrainian energy company.
Despite political differences, Sikorski’s remarks indicate alignment with Trump’s call for increased European defense spending, reflecting ongoing discussions regarding NATO contributions and collective security measures in the face of geopolitical challenges.
