Polish Foreign Minister Declares Defiant Statement to Russia: "You Shall Never Reign Here Once More" - Sikorski Delivers Tense Parliamentary Speech
In a fiery and historically problematic speech, Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski slammed Moscow in front of the Sejm (Polish parliament), delivering a powerful rebuke to Russian imperialism. Amid escalating regional unrest and ongoing Russian warfare in Ukraine, Sikorski sent a direct message to the Kremlin: "You'll never rule here again — not in Warsaw, not in Kyiv, not in Vilnius, not in Riga, and not in Tallinn nor Chisinau."
The minister's address, part of his annual foreign policy exposé, set a fiery and confrontational tone in Poland's stance towards Russia, mirroring growing concerns among Polish leaders over Moscow's military ambitions and hybrid threats in Eastern Europe. Sikorski cast Russia's aggression as a neo-imperialist project, asserting that Poland views itself not solely as a buffer state in NATO's eastern defence, but as a protector of its neighbours' sovereignty.
The speech's historical undertones snarled. Referencing the centuries-long foreign control over Central and Eastern Europe, Sikorski spoke directly to the Russian government and its supporters, stating that no distorted version of history would legitimize another round of subjugation. "You'll never rule here again," he declared, adding, “Forever — that time is gone.” The statement garnered strong approval from coalition members and parts of the opposition.
🇵🇱🇷🇺 "You will never rule here again, neither in Kyiv, nor in Vilnius, nor in Riga, nor in Tallinn, nor in Chisinau," - Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski shouts at Putin. pic.twitter.com/UHrPM9ZWEK
April 23, 2025
Sikorski's words encapsulated a Polish foreign policy consensus that solidified after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022: confront Russia, diplomatically, militarily, and morally.
Targeting Russian Expansionism and Historical Justifications
Sikorski lambasted Russian ideologues like Kremlin-linked theorist Aleksandr Dugin, who argued that an independent Poland had no place on the Eurasian continent. Dugin's radical views, while extreme, had gained support among sections of the Russian elite and were often seen as providing intellectual backing for the Kremlin's imperial aims.
Sikorski dismissed such ideologies as delusional and harmful. He argued that the first recorded mention of Moscow in historical records came from 1147, placing it as a mere outpost of Kievan Rus, implying that Russia's historical claims to other Slavic nations were selective and ahistorical. "Seizing a region doesn't grant ownership rights," Sikorski asserted.
He shared this argument not only for Poland but for every nation previously subjected to Moscow's dominance, citing Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia, and Belarus as examples.
Prioritizing Western Unity
Sikorski warned that the gravest danger to regional security didn't stem solely from Russia's military capability, but from division within the West. "For Poland, the worst threat would be the disintegration of the Western alliance," he cautioned. "We must not allow ourselves to be fragmented. A fractured response only empowers the aggressor."
He urged continued military and financial support for Ukraine and emphasized that the conflict's outcome shaped the future of Europe's security architecture. "A just peace, not a shaky truce, must be our goal," he stated. "Only a durable settlement secured through strength will be acknowledged in the Kremlin."
The foreign minister's call was aimed at both domestic audiences and Poland's EU and NATO partners. He underscored the need for unity in the face of waning support for Ukraine or fatigue with the conflict, which could send the wrong message to Moscow and invite further aggression.
Measuring the Cost of War
Sikorski presented estimates of the financial and human cost of Russia's war in Ukraine, stating that the conflict had cost Russia at least $200 billion and led to approximately one million casualties (includes deaths and injuries). Despite these colossal losses, Russian forces controlled only about 20% of Ukrainian territory, he noted.
"These figures should make the Kremlin hesitate — yet they haven't," he said. His statement reinforced Poland's position that Russia must bear legal and financial accountability for war crimes and atrocities committed during the invasion. "Justice must not be a hypothetical concept," he said. "There must be accountability — for Bucha, for Mariupol, for every town and village where atrocities occurred."
Poland's Crucial Role in European Security
Sikorski positioned Poland as a critical player in the current European security landscape. He highlighted Poland's provision of significant humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine, its acceptance of millions of Ukrainian refugees, and its unprecedented military modernization.
"Poland isn't just a frontline state," he asserted. "It's a pillar of European stability.” Despite the risk, “We aren't waiting for others to secure our freedom. We are leading.”
The speech reaffirmed Poland's commitment to multilateralism, EU enlargement, and maintaining a robust transatlantic relationship with the United States. He also advocated for the EU to strengthen its strategic autonomy.
Domestic and Regional Implications
Sikorski's speech coincides with heated debates both domestically and geopolitically in Poland, as the presidential election approaches in May 2025. With the government striving to project strength and continuity in foreign policy, particularly on matters of national security and sovereignty, Sikorski's belligerent comments will likely resonate with a wide spectrum of the Polish public, which remains predominantly supportive of Ukraine and distrustful of Russian intentions.
Similarly, the speech underscores broader regional concerns. Across Central and Eastern Europe, governments express growing apprehension over Russian hybrid warfare tactics, such as disinformation campaigns, sabotage, and cyberattacks. Sikorski's declaration may, therefore, be viewed not only as a reprimand to Moscow but also as a call to Western allies to avoid underestimating the challenges at hand.
"Never Again" as a National Doctrine
Sikorski repeated his final message, "Never again," a phrase not new but poignantly reiterated. In post-war Polish political discourse, "never again" often evoked the devastation of World War II and Soviet control. Sikorski's use of the slogan represented both a warning to Russia and a commitment from Poland to defend democracy, sovereignty, and European security against any cost.
As the Ukrainian conflict persists, and geopolitical stakes grow, Poland's role in reshaping European security has become indisputable. With leaders like Sikorski setting a firm tone, Poland sends an unequivocal message: the era of appeasement is over, and the protection of freedom in Eastern Europe is a mission that Poland is prepared to spearhead.
- In his annual foreign policy speech, Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski emphasized a consensus that solidified after Russia's invasion of Ukraine: the need to confront Russia diplomatically, militarily, and morally.
- Sikorski lambasted Russian ideologues like Kremlin-linked theorist Aleksandr Dugin, arguing that such ideas, while extreme, were still seen as providing intellectual backing for the Kremlin's imperial aims.
- Sikorski questioned Russia's historical claims to other Slavic nations, asserting that seizing a region doesn't grant ownership rights and referencing countries like Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia, and Belarus as examples.
- Sikorski warned that the gravest danger to regional security wasn't only Russia's military capability but division within the West, urging continued military and financial support for Ukraine and emphasizing that the conflict's outcome shaped Europe's security architecture.
- Sikorski presented estimates of the financial and human cost of Russia's war in Ukraine, stating that the conflict had cost Russia at least $200 billion and led to approximately one million casualties, emphasizing the need for accountability for war crimes and atrocities.
- Sikorski positioned Poland as a critical player in the current European security landscape, highlighting Poland's provision of humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine, its acceptance of Ukrainian refugees, and its unprecedented military modernization, asserting that Poland isn't just a frontline state but a pillar of European stability.
