Szymon Hołownia stresses Europe’s autonomy and warns against Russian influence, advocating for Helsinki as a better venue for shaping global cooperation than Munich.
The Importance of Historical Perspective
During a recent conference in Tarnów, Polish Sejm Marshal and presidential candidate Szymon Hołownia emphasized that Munich is not the right venue to shape the world’s future. Reflecting on the ongoing Munich Security Conference, he suggested that Helsinki—the birthplace of the OSCE and a symbol of European cooperation—would serve as a better location. Hołownia underscored the clarity of Vladimir Putin’s intentions from the start: first targeting Ukraine and then seeking influence over NATO’s composition. He warned against allowing Russia to dictate the presence of American troops in Poland or the independence of the Baltic states.
Europe’s Role as a Global Partner
Hołownia also commented on the address by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, describing it as more reflective of a commentator than a political leader. He rejected any notion of paternalistic guidance from the United States, emphasizing Europe’s sovereignty in shaping its own destiny. According to Hołownia, Europe is a reliable partner in global security, contributing significantly to economic and defense initiatives worldwide. He called for a partnership based on equality and mutual respect rather than external advice or interference.