Putin will be ousted by members of his own inner circle, says Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski
The Russian Ministry of Defence has published a list of European companies accused of cooperating with the Ukrainian defence industry. The list includes Italian and Polish firms. Dmitry Medvedev described them as ‘legitimate targets’.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated that such statements are nothing new. According to him, Medvedev has previously made regular threats of nuclear strikes. He added that such threats should be taken seriously, even though people have become accustomed to them. He also noted that Russian drones had violated Polish airspace, and that Moscow was implicated in a fire at one of the country’s major shopping centres.
Sikorski described the explosion on the railway as an attempt at escalation and characterised it as an act of state terrorism, since, in his words, it was an attempt to kill people. He noted that the explosion occurred beneath a train travelling on a high embankment, and it was only due to the perpetrators’ mistakes that casualties were avoided. The minister also stated that Russia is waging a hybrid war against Europe and sending groups of operatives to various countries.
Speaking about the situation on the front line in Ukraine, Sikorski noted that Russian troops had lost momentum, but, in his view, the generals were not reporting the true state of affairs to Putin. He said that Ukrainian forces were compensating for their lack of manpower by using drones and striking at Russia’s economy and military capabilities.
When asked whether Putin is aware of the situation, Sikorski replied that dictators usually realise this too late. He noted that a long stay in power leads to a lack of critical assessment, and Putin himself, who was previously a pragmatist, has become a hostage to his own imperial ambitions.
The minister also stated that the Russian system is more autocratic than it was at the end of the Soviet Union’s existence. According to him, there are now more political prisoners in Russia than there were during Leonid Brezhnev’s time, and it is difficult to voice dissent. He added that the latest internet restrictions, particularly regarding Telegram, are causing discontent.
Sikorski expressed the view that such systems do not usually change gradually, but collapse. He also noted that colonial-style wars often end with a change of leadership.
Commenting on the position of the United States and NATO, the minister stated that the allies had not participated in the war outside the scope of the treaty. He noted that Ukraine receives support from Europe, whilst the US financial contribution since last year has been zero. At the same time, he said, Ukraine has its own red lines and is striving for lasting peace.
Sikorsky added that even if the war ends, it will take Russia years to recover. He emphasised that Europe must fulfil its own commitments to strengthen defence.
According to him, Ukraine already has its own long-range drones and cruise missiles and is working on ballistic missiles, but requires air defence systems, particularly Patriot PAC-3 systems, of which there is a global shortage.
He also noted that Russia may strike Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure, but this does not help it break through the front line.
Sikorsky did not rule out the possibility of negotiations, but noted that for authoritarian leaders, ending the war without a victory could pose a threat to their power. According to him, for Putin, a protracted war may seem less dangerous than peace without a clear outcome.
