Marek Magierowski, the former Polish ambassador to the U.S., says that a loss for Ukraine is a loss for the West, including the United States and its new leader.
Speaking to Onet TV, the diplomat presented what he believes to be the best path forward with the incoming administration.
“We need to convince Donald Trump, his ego and his political vision that we are increasing defense spending, among other things, to be able to defend ourselves against possible aggression,” he said.
“(Trump) has always said that Europe should take its own problems into its own hands, including those that have recently appeared on the eastern side of our border. It should take care of itself, without expecting constant political, military and financial support from the United States,” he continued.
However, presumably since that may take time, the diplomat also insisted that Trump should still increase America’s military presence in Poland and Europe in general.
Magierowski noted that Trump will not be sworn in until Jan. 20, and in the meantime, much will be clarified as to who Trump will surround himself with and what his priorities will be.
Asked about the Americans reaching a certain peace agreement with Putin, whereby Ukraine will be able to function independently and defend itself against any further aggression, Magierowski notes that there is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding any specific plan and whether some actions will simply be implemented without any formal presentation.
As to talk of “cutting off part of Ukraine,” he says that Trump and his inner circle must be persuaded that this “is not the best idea.”
“These are of course worrying signals, also from our point of view. And I think that if I were to give any advice to Polish interlocutors with President Trump, I would say that they should convince him that such a solution would mean victory for Russia and defeat not only for Ukraine, but also for the West, and thus defeat for the United States. What President Trump fears most and what he hates is losing. So we need to tell him straight out that this type of deal with President Putin simply means defeat for the United States and its capitulation,” said Magierowski.
