Sikorski warns Poland must stay ready for possible Russian aggression and shares personal emergency kit details
Vice-premier and foreign minister Radosław Sikorski said only Vladimir Putin knows how close Europe is to a war with NATO, urged deterrence, and described his own emergency supplies.
Radosław Sikorski told Fakty that the only person who knows how near a Russian-NATO clash is Vladimir Putin, and affirmed Poland will not initiate hostilities but must maintain a credible deterrent. He warned that Russia is likely to step up hybrid operations, referencing recent provocations such as a drone attack on a train near the border, and said intelligence leaders across countries have already cautioned about such moves.
Sikorski confirmed he had heard an oral CIA report that was relayed to Prime Minister Donald Tusk and that similar warnings were presented to the government’s security committee. He compared one outlet threat level to the period before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. When asked about personal preparedness, Sikorski said he keeps a stock of rice, a hand-pump, garden-made jam and a safety plan, urging citizens to follow official guidance on emergency kits.
Why it matters
Polish officials stress readiness amid rising Russian hybrid threats, affecting regional security and civilian preparedness.
How this story developed
- Sep 3 Ukraine reports heavy Russian personnel and equipment losses in ongoing war
- Sep 10 Ukraine has started an offensive operation in the north of the Donetsk region, according to Brigadier-General Andrii Biletskyi.
- Sep 11 Ukrainian intelligence now reports that daily Russian casualties regularly exceed recruitment capacity.
- Sep 15 Ukrainian troops repelled a Russian assault on Lyman.
- Sep 17 Speaking in Presov before a trip to Kyiv, Fico described the Russia-Ukraine war as out of control and warned that a Europe-wide clash is more likely than ever. He emphasized Slovakia’s NATO membership but insisted he will act to keep the country out of any armed response triggered by Article 5. The leader also accused European capitals of seeking a pretext for a larger NATO-Russia confrontation. His remarks come ahead of a regional summit in western Ukraine that will host leaders from several neighboring states.
- Sep 19 President Donald Trump signed a bill that gives the United States new authority to impose broad sanctions on Russia, targeting its energy sector and senior officials.
- Sep 19 President Trump signed the expanded sanctions law.
- Sep 21 Czech President Petr Pavel’s war‑like comments sparked a rebuke from Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
- Sep 21 Donald Trump asked Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries, linking them to rising diesel prices worldwide.
- Sep 21 Trump’s appeal to cease refinery attacks was made ahead of his scheduled meeting with Zelensky at the UN General Assembly.
- Sep 21 Russian forces carried out multiple attacks on Ukraine's front-line regions on Monday, resulting in at least five deaths.
- Sep 22 Ukrainian forces reported an overnight drone raid on Russia’s Kuibyshev oil refinery.
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