Poland's French embassy says they could 'enter conflict' in Ukraine against Russia

Anadolu Agency
Mon, 20 Mar 2023 21:51 UTC

© Serwis Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej (under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 PL)

Statement by its own ambassador during television interview forces Polish Embassy in France to issue denial Timo Kirez

According to Polish Ambassador to France Jan Emeryk Rosciszewski, a situation may arise in which Poland would have to directly enter the Russia-Ukraine war.

"It is not NATO, Poland or Slovakia that are exerting more and more pressure, but Russia, which has invaded Ukraine. Russia that is usurping its territories. Russia that is killing its people. And Russia that kidnaps Ukrainian children," the 57-year-old ambassador told French broadcaster LCI on Sunday evening.

"So either Ukraine defends its independence today, or we have to enter this conflict. Because our main values, which were the basis of our civilization and our culture, will be threatened. Therefore, we will have no choice but to enter the conflict," he added.

Rosciszewski's appearance forced his own embassy to issue a denial. In a statement on Sunday, the Polish Embassy in France wrote: "If you listen carefully to the entire conversation, it becomes clear that no direct involvement of Poland in the conflict was announced, but only warned about the consequences that a Ukrainian defeat could have: the possibility of a Russian attack or the involvement of other Central European countries - the Baltic states and Poland."

Comment: They're not really denying though, are they? Because they're still saying that if Ukraine loses, then Poland might become involved. Except in this new statement they're dragging the rest of Europe in with them.

The embassy stressed in its statement that Ambassador Rosciszewski made it clear in his interview with LCI that Poland is not currently at war, but was "doing everything it can to help Ukraine and protect itself" in Russia's war against Ukraine.

Rosciszewski took office as Poland's ambassador to France in April 2022. Previously, he worked in the banking and insurance industry.

Comment: Notes from Poland reports:

His words triggered criticism from opposition politicians in Poland.

"The Polish ambassador to France saying we will enter a war with Russia if Ukraine fails is clearly exceeding his powers and should simply be removed from office. Hello [foreign ministry]!" tweeted Maciej Gdula, an MP from The Left (Lewica).

"The PiS [ruling party's] diplomatic staff are a disaster. They put forward people with no experience in diplomacy as ambassadors, and they later say whatever comes to mind," wrote Krzystof Bosak, one of the leaders of the far-right Confederation (Konfederacja) party.

It's likely his words reflect the sentiment (and possible plans) of some of his colleagues. One recalls the recent comment from Germany's FM: Germany 'at war' with Russia - FM

"Looking for sensational content that does not fit with Poland's consistent efforts over the past year to help Ukraine win this conflict so that it would not spill over into Europe and Poland should be regarded as ill will," it added.

Although the Polish foreign ministry did not directly address the ambassador's statement in a separate communication, it retweeted the embassy's message.

Rościszewski's remarks came as one French politician, National Rally (RN) MEP and former minister Thierry Mariani, accused Poland of "clearly trying to drag the European Union into an escalation" of the war in Ukraine.

His comments came in response to Poland's president, Andrzej Duda, last week announcing that his country would become the first to transfer fighter jets to Ukraine.

"It seems to me that it is extremely dangerous for Poland to deliver military aircraft to Kyiv," Mariani told Russian state news agency TASS. "Until now, the United States has not made such a decision. Warsaw is now going even further than Washington in supplying Ukraine with military equipment."

Poland has long argued that helping Ukraine's defend itself against Russian aggression is vital for the safety of Europe, and in particular of NATO's eastern member states.

See also:

• Poland's ruling party under fire after outing opposition MP's son as victim of pedophile, son committed suicide after being identified
• Poland attacks Germany and blames Russia: The Bornholm blow up repeats the Bornholm Bash
• Poland's Parliament declares Russia 'state sponsor of terrorism'