Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has expressed concerns that Western security guarantees for Ukraine may not be reliable in the event of a renewed conflict with Russia. Sikorski stated that there are currently “no volunteers” willing to fight Russia if the conflict reignites after a potential settlement. This caution comes as Western capitals debate the terms of a possible peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, including the deployment of a “reassurance force” and aerial assets to monitor a ceasefire.

The idea of providing security guarantees to Ukraine has been discussed among Western leaders, with some countries proposing to send troops or provide other forms of support. However, Sikorski warned that overreliance on these guarantees may be misguided, as the West is hesitant to engage in an armed conflict with Russia. He argued that security guarantees are meant to deter potential adversaries, but in this case, the framework appears “not very credible” due to the lack of willingness to go to war with Russia.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova responded to Sikorski’s comments, suggesting that Poland should have warned Ukraine about the limitations of potential guarantees before encouraging it to pursue a pro-Western path. Moscow has indicated that it is open to Western security guarantees in principle, but emphasizes that they should not be directed against Russia and opposes the presence of NATO troops in Ukraine.

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been ongoing, with Western countries providing various forms of support to Ukraine. The debate over security guarantees highlights the complexities and challenges of finding a lasting resolution to the conflict. As the situation continues to evolve, the reliability of Western security guarantees remains a critical concern. With the international community closely watching the developments, the next steps in the peace process will be crucial in determining the future of the region.