The Trump-Putin talks can be assessed in many ways. Trump is playing a rather obvious game: he wants to achieve lasting peace in Ukraine, just as he has managed to do in several other places around the world. But at the same time, he wants to expand the sphere of American influence.
Putin’s situation is much more difficult. When he started the war, he promised Russians the conquest of Ukraine, which was supposed to be part of Russia’s march westward. He will not conquer Ukraine. No one will allow him to do so. His only realistic gain could be seizing another fragment of territory. Several tens of thousands of square kilometers of devastated and depopulated land after more than three years of war, a war that severed Russia’s economic ties with the West, weakened its development prospects for decades, and cost the lives of around a quarter of a million people, mostly young men. Three times that number were wounded, many of whom will likely remain disabled. Nearly a million Russians, again mostly young men, have left the country. What’s worse for the Kremlin, Europe, America, and their allies have begun to manage without Russian oil and gas. Personally, I don’t believe that can be reversed anytime soon.
But Trump’s talks are not only about ending the war in Ukraine. Even before the war began, Putin made it clear that his real objective was control over Eastern Europe (including the withdrawal of American troops). This issue directly concerned Poland and the lives of each of us. Of course, as long as the current U.S. president has influence over world politics, this scenario is unlikely. However, if a pro-German arrangement were to prevail, we would be finished. That is why it is crucial that representatives of our state are present in any new geopolitical constructs. This may be decisive for Polish independence, our security, and prospects for growth and prosperity.
The Polish government has been completely excluded from talks with the U.S. From the prime minister to the would-be ambassador in Washington, all are persona non grata in the White House. If Rafał Trzaskowski had won the elections, we would have simply fallen into isolation. God watched over us, and Karol Nawrocki won, but the president alone, without the backing of the entire diplomatic apparatus, will be weakened. For months now, TV Republika has assumed the role of informal civic diplomacy, actively participating in the American elections, engaging in other important events in Washington, and organizing major meetings in Poland with the participation of Trump’s associates.
We want our president to have strong support at the moment when Poland’s fate is being decided. That is why, during his visits, we are organizing the Polish–American Congress. We must clearly define Poland’s interests and demonstrate that there is a community of these interests with the U.S.
This is a tremendous logistical and financial challenge. That is why we need your support. Together, let us create a Polish lobby in the U.S.