Jaipur, Jan 18 (NationPress) Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski delivered a pointed critique of Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday, asserting that his arrogance and ego-centric policies have led Russia into a drawn-out conflict that is altering global geopolitics and unsettling Europe. Speaking during the session ‘A Continent in Crisis: Russia, Ukraine and the European Story’ at the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF), Sikorski emphasized that Putin’s military aggression towards Ukraine has had extensive ramifications, impacting not only the region but the global community.

“Arrogance is fleeting,” he stated, emphasizing that such approaches ultimately undermine nations rather than fortify them. As a neighboring country to Ukraine, Poland has faced direct repercussions from the ongoing war, Sikorski noted.

Millions of Ukrainian refugees have sought asylum in Poland, exerting considerable strain on the nation's economy and social systems. “We have invested heavily in housing, food, healthcare, and education for these refugees, yet Poland remains committed to supporting Ukraine on humanitarian grounds,” he remarked.

Sikorski cautioned that Russia's increasing alignment with China poses a strategic risk for Moscow. He pointed out that Russia is becoming more economically reliant on China, expending its national wealth on Chinese goods while inadvertently granting Beijing potential political influence.

“This dependency may strategically weaken Russia,” he warned. He also raised concerns regarding global security assurances, recalling that Ukraine relinquished the world’s third-largest nuclear arsenal under the 1994 Budapest Memorandum in return for promises of territorial sovereignty.

“Today, those borders have been breached. This situation raises significant doubts about international reliability and security commitments,” he stated.

Regarding European security, the Polish Deputy Prime Minister underscored that Europe can no longer fully depend on the United States. He remarked on the historically tumultuous US-Europe relations, asserting that European nations must bolster their own defense capabilities. Poland, he noted, was among the first to supply Ukraine with military aircraft and equipment.

Critiquing Putin’s military tactics, Sikorski commented that the Russian President anticipated the invasion would conclude in a “three-day special operation,” yet the conflict has extended for years, costing Russia billions and countless lives.

“Ukraine has endured tremendous human and economic tolls, yet it steadfastly defends its freedom and culture,” he urged, encouraging the Ukrainian people to maintain their resilience.

The session attracted a large audience, demonstrating significant global interest in the evolving European crisis and its broader geopolitical ramifications.