The UK’s departure from the EU has enabled it to respond swiftly to Russian aggression and assume a leading role in providing aid to Ukraine, according to Poland’s FM, Radosław Sikorski, as reported by The Telegraph.

Sikorski highlighted that Britain’s ability to act independently, without the need for consensus among the 27 EU member states, has facilitated more rapid decision-making on critical issues such as sanctions against the Kremlin and support for Ukraine.

„The UK has identified a very useful and honourable niche by capitalising on its quick decision-making capabilities. You act correctly before others, thus encouraging the rest of us to follow suit,” he stated. He further expressed that an ideal outcome would be a Ukrainian victory in the war and echoed Lord Cameron, the British Foreign Secretary, in urging NATO allies to meet their defence spending target of 2% of GDP.

Poland, which shares borders with both Ukraine and Russia, has significantly increased its defence spending to 4% of GDP this year. In comparison, the UK has committed to raising its spending to 2.5 per cent.

„Poland leads by example, even more than the UK, as we are allocating 4% of GDP to defence this year, the highest proportion within NATO, including the United States,” – the Polish minister stated. He anticipated that the „overwhelming majority of allies” would reach the target, established a decade ago, by the NATO summit in July. 

Earlier this month, Polish PM Donald Tusk stated that Poles would be wealthier than Britons within five years due to Brexit. This assertion was based on figures from a Labour forecast, which utilised World Bank data projecting that Poland would surpass the UK in GDP per capita by 2030.

Image: X (@radeksikorski)

Author: Sébastien Meuwissen