Secondly, we must consider hard geography of Poland. We have with aggressive Russia, unfortunately, as a consequence of the provisions of the post-war post-war, 210 km of the border from the north. Russia controls Belarus in safety — another 420 km of our border. If Russia had conquered or vassalized Ukraine (520 km of our border), Poland would not have, from the north and east, but a narrow pass with Lithuania, safe from the aggression of the Russian borders. The strategical situation of Poland would deteriorate dramatically. And even below the threshold of open war, it is adequate to mention a hybrid force supported by the Kremlin on the Polish-Belarusian border.
pressmateBorders of Poland
And let us not be deceived — the permanent exclusion of Ukraine from Western structures, namely NATO and the EU, sooner or later will mean Russia's vassalization of this country. There are no half-way solutions in the area between the West and Russia. There is either the way of the Baltic States or Belarus under Lukashenko (who besides does not want to be Putin's vassal, but — being authoritarian and anti-Western — there is no another option).
On this point I could finish, but for the sake of clarity and prejudging counterarguments (mostly from bots), 2 more fundamental remarks.
World Situation
Bringing Ukraine into Western structures is crucial for the Polish strategical interest precisely due to the fact that Western cohesion is increasingly uncertain.
And I am talking not only about the tremendous unpredictability of US policy towards our region in president Trump's second term, but about the inevitable process of redirecting America's energy and strategical resources from Europe to the Pacific and Asia — to compete with China, a major global rival.
And the fact that, despite the noisy declarations, the modest military efforts of most of Europe, especially key large states specified as Germany, will not rapidly replace the possible withdrawal from our US region. And weakness, as always in history, will encourage Russia. Not to mention the fact that an increase in the ideological influence of the brothers, allies and Putin agents is expected in the West soon.
Under these conditions, entering NATO and the EU of Ukraine, a state with a major army, a strategically key territory and a possibly large economy, would simply strengthen the West. Thus, it would be in the fundamental Polish interest.
Ukraine in the European Union
Does that mean Integration Ukraine, especially from the EU, to be fast and “for merit”, how does part of the Ukrainian elite imagine? Nope. First, serious solutions — not only in the form of transitional periods — require Ukrainian agriculture, simply due to dirt quality. But even more crucial is the issue of the endemic culture of corruption in Ukraine. With today's level of integration Ukraine would simply infect the Union. So this must change — and to the Ukrainians calmly, but it must definitely be said.
However, these crucial remarks do not negate strategic objective, what it is for Poland, and for most likewise reasoning Western countries, to let Ukraine to board — alternatively than leave it alone to compete unevenly with Russia.
Finally History issue. The condition of the strategical goal of extending the West to Ukraine, which is fundamental to Poland, is incorrect to full accept Polish rations in historical matters. First, it won't happen fast. Secondly, it is easier to influence Ukraine’s attitude on issues that are uncomfortable for her erstwhile you are an crucial ally of hers than erstwhile you have been practicing a chaotic and ideologically dependent policy and an election agenda like the Law and Justices over the last fewer years.
“Or as a fool, or an agent of Russia”
The issue of the exhumation of victims of the Volyn massacre, blocked during the times of the Law and opened now, is the best example. But there is another argument — this unwise addiction “as you historically humble yourselves before us in everything, then we will graciously aid you enter the structures of the West”, is, beyond doubt, fueled by Moscow and its tools in Poland — and by Moscow used. And Poland harms, due to the fact that it limits the chances of achieving our strategical goals for security, and reduces the possibilities of building positions not only in Ukraine, but thanks to it in the Western world.
For all these reasons, we repeat: who today, like Mr Nawrocki, closes Ukraine's doors to NATO and the EU, acts against Poland. Either as a fool or an agent of Russia.
