Russia’s Putin ready to invade other countries, says Poland’s president
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Polish President Karol Nawrocki (left) and President of Finland Alexander Stubb taking part in a joint press conference in Helsinki on Sept 9.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
- Polish President Nawrocki warns Putin may invade other countries after Ukraine, citing distrust and the need for stronger armed forces.
- President Stubb stated, "Putin cannot be trusted", highlighting attempts to explain this to US President Trump amidst ongoing conflict.
- German Chancellor Merz echoed concerns, stating Putin's "imperialist plan wouldn't end with the conquest of Ukraine".
AI generated
HELSINKI - Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to invade other countries following his decision to start the conflict in Ukraine, Polish President Karol Nawrocki warned on Sept 9.
“We do not trust Vladimir Putin’s good intentions,” Mr Nawrocki told reporters at a press conference with Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Helsinki.
Poland and Finland share borders with Russia, and both Nato members were put on edge by Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
“While waiting, of course, for a long-term peace, permanent peace, which is necessary to our regions, we believe that Vladimir Putin is ready to also invade other countries,” Poland’s newly elected nationalist president said.
“That is exactly why we are developing our armed forces, we are developing our partnership and our allied relations,” he added, without specifying any particular measures.
He said the “security architecture” throughout the region had changed and that US President Donald Trump was “the only leader of the free world” who could force the Russian leader to negotiate.
Last week, Mr Trump offered to send more troops to Poland as he welcomed Mr Nawrocki to the White House
Mr Stubb has, meanwhile, spoken to Mr Trump regularly in recent months as European powers push to end the war in Ukraine.
“We try to explain that Putin cannot be trusted, that Putin is playing his usual delay tactics,” Mr Stubb said.
The warnings reflected similar worries expressed by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said on Sept 8 that Mr Putin’s “imperialist plan wouldn’t end with the conquest of Ukraine”, rather it would be just the start. AFP
