Statement of Polish American organizations against Poland’s military engagement in Ukraine

February 29, 2024

Andrzej Duda, President of Poland

Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland

PONIŻEJ KONTYNUACJA TEKSTU

Radoslaw Sikorski, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, Marszałek Senatu

Szymon Hołownia, Marszałek Sejmu

c/o Ambassador Marek Magierowski

Embassy of the Republic of Poland

2640 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Via email: washington.amb.sekretariat@msz.gov.pl

Statement of Polish American organizations

against Poland’s military engagement in Ukraine

American Polonia welcomes Poland’s President Duda and Prime Minister Tusk in Washington, DC, as they meet with President Biden on March 12th. We hope that this critical visit will advance Poland’s image as a key advocate of normalizing European relations and steadfast proponent of a new security architecture through peace and cooperation in Europe.

As we approach the 10th anniversary of the military conflict in Ukraine, we hope Poland will lead the world on the path to de-escalation of the conflict and a negotiated settlement. We strongly believe that Europe needs not war but peace. All the differences of interests must be negotiated and resolved peacefully.

Many within the Polish American community strongly believe that NATO should remain a defense alliance and not an instrument of unrestrained geopolitical ambitions of its most dominant members. Poland must not allow itself to be drawn or forced into military engagement(s) outside of Polish borders unless attacked.

The trajectory of future developments is not easy to predict nor is it predetermined. However, it is a given that the future political and military decisions of the Russian Federation will depend on the actions of its adversaries. Escalatory behaviors will be predictably met with escalatory reactions. Russia’s conviction of facing an existential threat and its clearly signaled determination to use all its capabilities in the conflict need to be seriously considered before any escalatory steps are taken.

The consequences of conflict escalation advocated by some European leaders might lead to highly tragic outcomes in Poland and globally. We urge Polish politicians to refrain from offensive rhetorical excesses and empty threats, which regrettably indicate an inability to realistically assess Poland’s capabilities in a situation of actual military confrontation.

Polish Americans stand ready to support and assist President Duda and Prime Minister Tusk as they work together to strengthen and maintain Poland’s deterrence capabilities but remain adamantly opposed to engaging Poland deeper in a war that cannot be won, and which would ultimately lead to the destruction of Poland. We appeal to Poland’s leaders to align with those European leaders who call for a peaceful resolution of the war.