Presidential aide: Russia is the problem, not the Suwałki Gap

Head of the International Policy Bureau in the Chancellery of the President of Poland, Jakub Kumoch, told TVN24's Konrad Piasecki on Tuesday morning that Poland would strive to ensure NATO inceases its presence in the Suwałki Gap area, which the only land connection between the Baltic States and the rest of European NATO allies.

Kumoch was asked whether Russia could really threaten to build a military corridor joining Belarus and Kaliningrad right in the middle of the Suwałki Gap, or it was a mere "sabre-rattling". "A corridor to Kaliningrad is no fantasy. This is a natural order of things - if Russia wins the war against Ukraine, then sometime in our lifetime it will issue such a demand and we will experience once again the same thing that we had in the past," he replied.

He added, however, that "as long as there's NATO and deterrence of Russia, the Russians know they won't be able to do such a thing".

Kumoch argued that such scenario would mostly affect Lithuania. "Poland is prepared, Poland is first and foremost Russia's staunch opponent," he said. "Russia sees Lithuania as a weak link, whereas we send Lithuania a clear message that we're standing with it and that an attack on Lithuania would also be an attack on NATO and Poland," he assured.

Asked if he was not neglecting this kind of threats regarding the Suwałki Gap, Kumoch replied: "Not in the medium term". "Because that's how Russia operates, Russia think in 19th-century categories," he argued.

"As long as NATO eastern flank is strong and protects all its members, Russia knows very well it stands no chance against NATO," he added. Asked if Russia's attempt to enforce such a corridor could result in WWIII, Kumoch said that if such was the case "it would end in Russia's defeat", but also a defeat "for us all, as no one seeks WWIII".

"This (the Gap) is a place which Russia can make dangerous," Kumoch said, adding that "today's Russia can turn any place into the most dangerous place on Earth". "Russia is the problem, not the Suwałki Gap," he stressed.

Konrad Piasecki and his guest also spoke about Monday's Russian missile attack on a shopping mall in Kremenchuk, Ukraine.

"Russia commits crimes against humanity, and has been committing them since the start of the war. That's the way this regime wages its war, as it known not how to do it otherwise," president's aide said.

Kumoch was also asked about the recurring topic of German WWII reparations. "It always makes sense to bring it up, as I don't think this issue has been closed. It's no secret that Poland thinks Germany hasn't paid reparations for the war," presidential International Policy Bureau chief said.

The presidential minister also commented on the NATO summit taking place in Madrid. "One issue that's being mulled until the last minute, is Sweden and Finland's (NATO) membership. We strongly hope Sweden and Finland will become NATO members, as it would increase our safety," he said.

"If a decision to accept Sweden and Finland is made, it will be a huge success for the whole Alliance. In this case, Poland is not in the role of a negotiator or broker, as this is secretary general's job, and countries like Sweden have decided to discuss this issue directly with Turkey and asked others to repsect this strategy," he added, referring to Turkey's protest against allowing Sweden and Finland to join NATO.

"We eagerly await a positive results of these talks, as that's something that will weaken Russia," Kumoch added.