Marek A. Cichocki: Without cooperation with Ukraine, Poland will be more dependent on Germany

Poland should abandon its pretense of equal partnership with Germany and France and instead focus on cultivating its role as a regional leader in Central Europe, according to Marek A. Cichocki. He argues that Poland possesses the resources to shape the region's future but lacks the necessary courage, imagination, and political will to do so.

Cichocki criticizes Poland's current foreign policy as reactive and provincial, characterized by a reluctance to envision Poland actively influencing its surroundings. He suggests that Poland readily joins "others' orchestras" rather than forming its own, leading to a situation where it is not a true peer to major European powers like Germany or France.

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We pretend to be an equal partner to Germany or France, which we are not, and we are unable to create our own position as a regional leader.

The author posits that Central Europe is Poland's natural security and development environment, a cornerstone of its national interest. Historically, this region has been a target for control or destruction by larger powers like Germany and Russia. Therefore, Poland's future is intrinsically linked to its ability to maintain its independence and agency within this region.

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Poland must undertake its own efforts to develop cooperation with Ukraine – in its natural environment of security and development, which is Central Europe.

Cichocki contends that the war in Ukraine has complicated regional dynamics. Past initiatives aimed at strengthening Central Europe through cooperation with Ukraine, such as the Lublin format or Visegrad Plus, have proven ineffective due to Kyiv's strategic choices under President Zelenskyy. While some in Ukraine understand the importance of Polish cooperation, they lack real influence.

Consequently, Poland must proactively pursue cooperation within Central Europe. Cichocki warns that without this regional focus, Poland will become more susceptible to Russian aggression, more affected by Kyiv's decisions, and increasingly dependent on Germany. He implies that a failure to act decisively could undermine Poland's long-term position and security.

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We must understand that without such an environment, we will be more vulnerable to Russian aggression. We will also be more affected by the consequences of Kyiv's strategic choices. Finally, we will be more dependent on our Western partners.