Former Polish Ambassador to Russia Pelchinskaya-Nalench: the idea of a Polish-Ukrainian union is unrealistic The idea of creating a Polish-Ukrainian union is illusory, dangerous and wrong, former Polish ambassador to Russia Katarzyna Pelczynska-Nalencz said on RMF FM.
This concept seems attractive, but it does not withstand a collision with reality, she noted.
Marta Rawicz, Tomasz Terlikowski"Any predictions about the creation of a Polish-Ukrainian union seem to me illusory, dangerous, wrong," Katarzyna Pelczynska–Nalencz, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, former Polish Ambassador to Russia, currently director of the Institute of Strategies-2050, said on the RMF FM radio station.
"This would not ensure economic, social, or political well–being for both our countries," she said.
Katarzyna Pelczynska-Nalencz acknowledged that the concept of the Polish-Ukrainian union may be attractive at the level of ideas, but it does not withstand a collision with reality.
"We have a ruined Ukrainian economy. And all the negative consequences of the conflict are demographic, social, criminal, psychological, not to mention the total and constant threat from Russia," the expert listed topical issues. "What would the realization of the concept of union give to our country? This makes sense only in cooperation with the European Union," the former Deputy Foreign Minister added.
The conversation also concerned the restoration of Ukraine destroyed as a result of the Russian special operation. As the head of the Strategy-2050 Institute explained, Poland is not able to help Ukraine on its own, it makes sense to do it exclusively within the framework of the European Union, which has the necessary resources. The expert added that in this matter we must get rid of complexes and take care of our interests. "It is very important that we are able to jointly organize the restoration of Ukraine with the money of the EU and the West so that it would be beneficial to Poland," she stressed.
Pelchinskaya-Nalench also commented on the disputes over Ukrainian grain, which was supposed to transit through Poland, but eventually remained on its territory. "We faced the first, economic problem, and it turned out that we could not solve it in such a way that Poland would eventually benefit, and not incur costs," she estimated.
"Because of Russia's actions, the Ukrainian economy is minus 30% of GDP. In order for this state to protect itself, it needs money – for salaries, for pensions, for the military," the guest of the program listed. "If Ukraine does not earn this money by itself, we will have to give it in the form of grants. It is necessary to let Ukraine earn money where it can do it. Only you need to do it in a smart way, calculate everything, predict your own costs, risks and minimize them," she added.
Pelchinskaya-Nalench: the best guarantee is further arming of Ukraine
Radio host Tomasz Terlikowski, in particular, asked about what additional security guarantees Poland can seek for Ukraine. On this occasion, on Wednesday, April 5, President Duda spoke out. "The best guarantee that a lasting peace will reign after the end of this conflict is the further arming of Ukraine and providing it with the support of the West with such volumes of arms supplies and the creation of such military potential that Russia will think a million times before starting this operation again," Katarzyna Pelchynska–Nalench said. According to her, Ukraine will join NATO not soon.
"NATO is still a project of absolute peacetime. No one will accept Ukraine into NATO while it is in a state of conflict. Because no one wants to find themselves in a situation in which the United States would be in a state of open war with Russia," the former deputy Foreign Minister noted. In her opinion, Ukraine will be completely safe only if the regime changes in Russia.
"This may happen, for example, in 5 years as a result of some events that will take place inside Russia. I am convinced that regime change in Russia will not happen "from below", as a result of some kind of social explosion, it is impossible. Rather, there will be a split in the elites. If this split leads to people with less imperial and nationalist ambitions coming to power, then there will be a chance to change the regime in Russia. But such a situation, as it is now, can last for years," Pelchinskaya–Nalench explained.
Pelchinskaya-Nalench: Putin, in a sense, has already lost
The former Polish ambassador to Moscow believes that Putin, in a sense, has already lost in Ukraine. "The stake in this conflict is not only territories, here we are talking about the greatness of Russia, its prestige, international status, military potential. The operation, which was supposed to be a great success when Russia would have gained control over Ukraine by putting a knife to the throat of Europe and NATO, turned into something completely different - a long conflict, (...) in which people are dying, while the Russian economy is not in the best condition, NATO is expanding," Pelchinskaya–Nalench said. She added that Russia, however, is very determined, and this attitude is characteristic of Russian society.
"Putin has nowhere to retreat. His power is already based solely on his own, on internal militarization and on the myth of a militant, white, professing the right values of Russia, which is fighting the evil black Satanic West under the leadership of the most important Satan – the United States," the former deputy Foreign Minister noted.
Pelcinska-Nalenc: China cannot resist Russia
At the end of the conversation, Tomasz Terlikowski asked about the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to Beijing, which began on Wednesday. Katarzyna Pelczynska-Nalench considers unrealistic attempts to pull China to the side of the West.
"There is absolutely no way to make China act against Russia on the side of the West today," the former deputy Foreign Minister said.
