Radoslav Sikorsky, Photo: Kay Nietfeld / AFP
Poland does not support the idea of creating a single European army, Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said in an interview with state-run TVP World. This was a response to the call of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who stressed the need for a powerful European armed forces during the Munich Security Conference, Reuters reports.
According to Sikorsky, the term “European army” is understood in different ways, and if it means uniting national armed forces under a single command, this will not happen. Instead, he supports the idea of expanding the EU’s defence capabilities, in particular through funding the defence industry and creating a capable European force.
“If the United States expects us to take on greater defence responsibility, we must strengthen our national armies, strengthen NATO, but also develop the European component of defence,” the Polish diplomat stressed.
At the same time, Sikorski denied the possibility of sending Polish troops to Ukraine, explaining that Warsaw’s primary task was to protect NATO’s eastern flank.
Zelenskyy, speaking in Munich, stressed that Europe could no longer rely on the United States as the sole guarantor of security and should create its own armed forces. He also warned that Russia, if successful in Ukraine, could threaten other European countries.
Zelenskyy’s call has sparked active discussions among European politicians, but there is currently no consensus on the creation of a single EU army. Instead, Brussels is focusing on strengthening military production and coordination between national armies within NATO and the EU.
