The "Big Five" format is working well. We have planned further meetings in Paris, Madrid, and possibly even in Kyiv, Poland's Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said on Thursday in Berlin. Among the topics discussed by the foreign ministers were threats from Russia, European defense, support for Ukraine, and the situation in Syria.
Sikorski participated in a meeting of the foreign ministers from Poland, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, as well as the UK, the EU, and Ukraine. Topics included threats from Russia, European defense, support for Ukraine, and the situation in Syria.
Sikorski arrived in Berlin with his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sybiha.
In a press briefing before returning to Poland, Sikorski stated that the expanded "Big Five" format is proving effective and that the exchange of views was very fruitful.
"It seems that this format works well and will be adopted permanently, as we have already proposed and scheduled additional meetings - in Paris, Madrid, and possibly even in Kyiv," Sikorski said.
Sikorski: Poland is a pillar of political stability
The head of Polish diplomacy, asked about relations between Warsaw and Berlin, responded that "Germany often says that there is also a certain suspension in these Polish-German relations."
"Indeed, Poland, in the context of the Weimar Triangle countries, is a pillar of political stability. It hasn't always been like this," Sikorski noted.
He said that "our mission in Berlin" reports that "Poland is an element of the political and electoral debate in Germany, as a desired partner" for the country.
"As I understand it, there is a certain race to ensure that the intensification of relations with Poland is needed," he continued, emphasizing that "this is good, not bad."
Sikorski: Poland has no plans to send troops
Journalists asked, among other things, whether a Ukrainian consulate would be established in Poznań. "That depends on the Ukrainian side. If Ukraine requests my permission for a consulate in Poznań, such consent will be granted," the minister replied.
"As for the specific conditions, the location, and the staffing, those are matters for Ukraine to negotiate with the city of Poznań," emphasized Sikorski.
Asked by reporters in Berlin about French President Emmanuel Macron's proposal to send troops to Ukraine if a ceasefire agreement is reached, Sikorski replied: "I understand there are some ideas and I'm sure they were discussed as we speak in Warsaw between Prime Minister Tusk and President Macron."
"If other countries under some flag or coalition wish to sustain Ukraine in a new form, we will consider it. But Poland has no plans at all of participating in anything like that," he declared.
Earlier on Thursday, before departing to Berlin, Sikorski welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron at Warsaw Chopin Airport.
Baerbock: no peace over the heads of Ukrainians
European foreign ministers agree that Ukraine needs long-term security guarantees and will discuss the issue at a meeting in Berlin, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said ahead of Thursday's talks.
"Here in this circle, we all agree that Ukraine needs tough security guarantees," Baerbock said. "This includes long-term military and financial support for Ukraine."
"There will be no peace over the heads of Ukrainians. There will be no peace over the heads of Europeans. Our deliberations today are therefore once again a strong signal of unity for the protection of our peace in Europe," German foreign minister stressed.
The talks in Berlin were a continuation of the "Big Five" format, which last met on November 19 in Warsaw. The format includes representatives from the five largest EU countries, with the addition of ministers from the UK and Ukraine, as well as EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.
"First of all, we need peace in in Ukraine in order to have a peacekeeping mission and for that we need Russia to stop shelling, which they are not doing. Before that, we have nothing to talk about," Kallas told reporters in Berlin.
"And of course, it's up to every single European country to make their decision whether they are using their troops in which processes," she added.
Autorka/Autor: gf
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, PAP
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: PAP