U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has arrived in Poland, where he is set to meet with President Andrzej Duda. This visit comes at a crucial juncture in international politics, a fact underscored by journalist Michał Rachoń during his morning program on TV Republika. “Everything is happening at a time when a new stage in the geopolitical game is unfolding before our eyes,” Rachoń remarked.
Shifting U.S. Rhetoric on Ukraine
Rachoń drew attention to the recent statements made by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, which he noted contrast sharply with earlier signals from Brussels. “Vance spoke about the fact that the possibility of deploying U.S. forces to support Ukraine has not been removed from the negotiating table,” he pointed out.
The journalist reflected on past discussions held in Poland at the beginning of Donald Trump’s first presidency, drawing parallels to current diplomatic rhetoric. “The tone of those talks closely resembles what we are hearing now from the same political figures—those who once shook hands with Vladimir Putin while negotiating on behalf of our German neighbors, ensuring that Polish interests would not be put at stake in Polish-Russian relations. These same individuals now falsely present themselves as staunchly anti-Russian politicians. Donald Tusk is the most prominent among them in Poland, but he is not the only one,” Rachoń commented.
Key Discussions at the Munich Security Conference
Rachoń also highlighted the upcoming Munich Security Conference, suggesting that, for the first time, the internal political dynamics of European nations will be directly addressed in Polish-American discussions. Vice President Vance is expected to deliver a speech at the conference, focusing on geopolitical relations between the U.S., Russia, and Europe, as well as broader European political issues.
“All of this unfolds in the context of what the 47th U.S. President, Donald Trump, initiated. Just two days ago, he announced that he had spoken with Vladimir Putin for approximately an hour,” Rachoń noted, underlining the potential implications of this conversation.
Vance’s Vision for Europe
The journalist further analyzed an interview Vance gave to The Wall Street Journal, in which the vice president argued that Europe must accept the rise of anti-establishment politics, curb mass migration, and abandon “progressive” policies. Vance is expected to call for the restoration of traditional values in Europe and a crackdown on crime linked to migration.
“Vance’s interview presents a starkly different stance from the initial signals we heard from Brussels yesterday. He emphasized that the use of American forces in support of Ukraine remains on the table. He speaks from a higher level than the Secretary of Defense, signaling that the U.S. is open to negotiations with Russia in good faith. However, Russia has never negotiated with the U.S. in good faith—something Volodymyr Zelensky has also warned against,” Rachoń said.
According to him, the discussions at the Munich conference are particularly noteworthy in light of European politics and shared threats facing Western nations on both sides of the Atlantic. “Vance will be addressing these issues, as indicated by The Wall Street Journal, during his speech in Munich today,” he added.
A Clear Message to European Leaders
In Rachoń’s view, the statements coming from Washington send a strong message to European leaders. “This is a very clear signal to so-called European leaders that their vision of rebuilding a shared geopolitical space from Vladivostok to Lisbon will once again face opposition from the United States.”
He concluded by pointing out that this stance is well understood by Polish politicians who previously supported diplomatic resets with Russia. “I believe our Polish resetters are well aware of this, which explains their particular stance toward Donald Trump and his administration,” he stated.
With high-level discussions and policy shifts underway, Poland’s role in the evolving geopolitical landscape remains critical. The coming days will likely shed further light on the implications of these diplomatic maneuvers for European security and transatlantic relations.