“It was an interview extremely harmful to Poland, but also harmful to NATO and to transatlantic relations. Why harmful to Poland? Because a lie repeated multiple times – especially if there is a segment of society that uncritically believes the one who spreads it – produces its effect,” said Zbigniew Rau, former head of diplomacy, commenting on Donald Tusk’s interview for Financial Times. The Law and Justice (PiS) politician also pointed out that it is worth looking at the Polish Prime Minister’s words from a German perspective – given that Berlin does not want Poland to maintain good relations with the United States.
In a Friday interview with one of the largest Western newspapers – Financial Times – Donald Tusk, head of the Polish government, questioned the “loyalty” of Poland’s most important ally – the United States. At the same time, he called for “strengthening the EU’s mutual defense clause.” Tusk told the paper that “the biggest and most important question for Europe is whether the United States is ready to be as loyal as described in our treaties (NATO).”
Many commentators pointed out that this was a direct attack on Polish-American relations and on Poland’s strongest ally, also within NATO.
Rau: Tusk’s interview extremely harmful
The topic of Tusk’s interview was also discussed today on TV Republika.
“What does Donald Tusk’s interview in the Financial Times mean, in which he questions whether the United States is a loyal ally? He does this at the same time when he must have had reports on his desk about the latest preparations for a prisoner exchange, which ultimately led to Andrzej Poczobut being free – thanks to the American administration and its efforts?” asked Michał Rachoń his political guest – Zbigniew Rau, former Minister of Foreign Affairs.
“Let’s start with the Financial Times – we realize how extremely influential this newspaper is, with an impact reaching far beyond the English-speaking world. That is why we are talking about it. It was an interview extremely harmful to Poland, but also harmful to NATO and to transatlantic relations. Why harmful to Poland? Because a lie repeated multiple times – especially if there is a segment of society that uncritically believes the one who spreads it – produces its effect. But let’s look at it in a broader international context. Who benefits from this? Unfortunately, it benefits above all Russia,” said the Law and Justice (PiS) politician.
As he added – “we have become accustomed to the fact that the current Prime Minister, as a rule, does not tell the truth. Exceptions confirm this rule. Deliberately and intentionally. From the perspective of Putin, who looks at Poland as a country on his close radar – I do not claim, like Tusk, that it is imminent. Russia currently has no successes in Ukraine. It is not so powerful as to attack a NATO country any moment now. Moreover, the United States has an enormous technological advantage over anyone on our planet. Russia is not strong at this moment.”
“How many resources would Putin have to commit? How much time would have to pass to professionally activate dormant agents there, to introduce a signal of this magnitude aimed at lowering the credibility of the United States in Poland, or more broadly in NATO? This is very dangerous, not only for us, but for NATO – especially the eastern flank,” Rau continued.
He stressed, however: “everything must be taken into account, and we must prepare for the worst, but there is absolutely no indication of that right now.”
The former head of diplomacy also pointed out that the German perspective is important here.
“Now let’s look at this from the German perspective, because there are voices suggesting this was inspired by France, that it was coordinated with President Macron’s visit to Gdańsk. Macron’s relations with the United States, with Donald Trump, are not good. We know who was the author of the narrative about NATO’s brain death. But since French relations are poor, it must be pointed out that there is someone who acts in a fundamentally more radically anti-American way. Against that background, France does not look bad,” he noted.
He emphasized that – “the difference, however, is that the President of France has Donald Trump’s phone number in his mobile, and in the case of Prime Minister Tusk, there is no point even talking about it.”
“The key element – this is a time when decisions are being made, after the lack of loyalty from Spain and Italy, and with American involvement in the Persian Gulf. We are talking about the involvement of bases and the possibility of flights to the Persian Gulf. The discussion about the possibility of relocating part of American resources and troops is returning – not only to Poland, but to our eastern flank, including Greece, Romania, and Lithuania. Who is our main competitor here, who does not want this? Germany does not want this,” continued the Law and Justice (PiS) politician.
“Before Poland stands a gigantic opportunity”
He went on “Germany does not want Americans to be in Poland, for Poland to be stronger, for there to be not 10,000 but 15,000 American soldiers here. The Americans would like to have peace in Europe, so that someone could manage this continent.”
As he stressed, “President Trump is the one who is most critical of Germany. Even yesterday’s statement confirms this. At the same time, he is very well disposed toward Poland – thanks to his relationship with President Nawrocki.”
In his view “the opportunity before Poland is truly gigantic and unique, because we have proven ourselves as a loyal, credible, and extremely ambitious ally of the United States – a comprehensive ally.”
“This is not only about the military dimension. It is also about the closeness of political views and shared economic interests. With President Nawrocki and the patriotic camp, the broadly understood right-wing camp in Poland, there is an obvious ideological understanding with the current American administration. It is enough to read the U.S. National Security Strategy, where a clear distinction is made between the old core of the EU and our part of Europe. This is an incredible window of opportunity. Let us realize a fundamental fact – our original and highly promising project is the Three Seas Initiative. The Three Seas Initiative is a project that neither Russia nor Germany is happy about. Poland, during our time in government, has been very active here thanks to President Nawrocki’s activity. We are still present and very clear in this framework. But even after elections – favorable for us – Poland alone will not consolidate the Three Seas Initiative,” he concluded.