Wanda Kwiatkowska of Poland expressed concern over the potential ramifications of a second term for former President Donald Trump, particularly in light of his comments during the U.S. presidential debate. Trump’s refusal to directly support Ukraine, contrasted with Vice President Kamala Harris’s stance on NATO’s support for Ukraine, raised alarms for Kwiatkowska and others in Poland who fear Russian encroachment in the region, especially as it shares borders with countries like Ukraine, Belarus, and the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has heightened tensions in Poland, with fears that a victorious Putin could expand Russia’s influence further into Eastern Europe, including the Baltic states. These concerns have intensified following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, leading many in Poland to closely follow developments in the war and its potential impact on their own security.
S?awomir D?bski, a strategy and international affairs professor, criticized Trump’s assertion that he could resolve the conflict in Ukraine before taking office, calling it unrealistic. D?bski also highlighted the Biden administration’s approach to the crisis, noting its commitment to supporting Ukraine without explicitly advocating for its victory, which he deemed a mistake.
The shift in Polish sentiment towards Trump reflects a broader change in attitudes, with the current government openly criticizing the former president and his close ties to leaders like Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whom Trump praised during the debate. Many Poles, like Andrzej Nowak, view Putin as a threat to regional stability and emphasize the importance of Ukraine’s success in the conflict for Poland’s own security.
As the war in Ukraine continues to unfold and geopolitical tensions rise, the views expressed by individuals like Kwiatkowska, D?bski, and Nowak underscore the sense of unease and uncertainty within Poland and the broader European region.
