Polish Politician Calls for Dissolution of Russian Federation Amid Ukraine War

A prominent Polish politician has advocated for the dissolution of the Russian Federation, arguing that the ongoing war in Ukraine will lead to the independence of nations long oppressed by Russia. The politician drew parallels to Poland's own history of partitions and subordination to European powers.

The call comes as the Russia-Ukraine war continues to escalate, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urging the international community to provide similar protections for Ukraine as were provided for Israel against Iran's recent attack. Meanwhile, Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz has pressed Chinese leader Xi Jinping to urge Moscow to end its "insane campaign" in Ukraine, although Beijing has not indicated it will pressure Russia to end the war.

In the United States, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has proposed a multi-part plan to provide foreign aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, with separate bills for each country. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has also urged allies to step up delivery of air defense systems to Ukraine, and the Netherlands has pledged 4.25 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine between 2024-2026.

Why this matters: The Polish politician's call for the dissolution of the Russian Federation highlights the far-reaching geopolitical implications of the ongoing war in Ukraine. The conflict has not only reshaped the security landscape in Europe but also reignited discussions about the future of nations historically under Russian influence.

Poland itself has been a strong supporter of Ukraine, with the country considering transferring its Russian-made air defense systems to Ukraine and helping to co-finance the Czech initiative to purchase ammunition for the Ukrainian military. Estimates suggest over 50,000 Russian troops have been killed since the invasion began, and Ukraine's military leadership believes Russia is seeking to capture the town of Chasiv Yar before May 9, which Russia celebrates as Victory Day over Nazi Germany in World War II.

Polish President Andrzej Duda has also been advocating for NATO members, including Canada, to increase their defense spending to 3% of GDP to deter Russia's war in Ukraine from spreading. Duda has stated that the West has "a lot of gaps" in its industrial base to produce military aid for Ukraine and has vowed to push for the 3% defense spending target at the upcoming NATO summit in July. Poland has already increased its own defense spending to 4% of GDP and has been a top provider of military aid to Ukraine.

Duda emphasized the need for Baltic and Eastern European countries near the conflict to support Ukraine, calling for a "clear military loss" for Russia. He expressed his belief that Russia would move westward if Ukraine falls and stated that while Poland is prepared, it needs others in NATO to also strengthen their military capabilities. Duda recounted a conversation with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about Poland's policy on illegal migration and its impact on Ukrainian refugees, noting Poland's obligation to protect the EU and Schengen zone borders.

Key Takeaways

• Polish politician advocates dissolving Russian Federation due to Ukraine war.
• Zelensky urges protections for Ukraine like those for Israel against Iran.
• Germany's Scholz presses China's Xi to urge Russia to end Ukraine war.
• US House proposes aid bills for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.
• Poland increases defense spending to 4% of GDP, a top provider of Ukraine aid.