What to Expect from Poland’s New Foreign and Security Policy?

The event gathered our institutional subscribers, partners, diplomats, think-tank representatives and experts to discuss Poland’s evolving foreign and security policy on the eve of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski’s annual exposé in the Polish Parliament.

The discussion centred on anticipating the key messages and tone of Sikorski’s address, delivered shortly after his return from Kyiv. Wojciech Przybylski, Editor-in-Chief of Visegrad Insight, outlined framing points that are likely to shape the speech:

• Balancing urgency with reassurance. Sikorski is expected to convey that the international security environment is seriously deteriorating from Poland’s perspective, while avoiding alarmist language that could feed Russian disinformation narratives about Polish or European weakness. Emphasis will likely be placed on the synergy between three foundational pillars since 1989 – security, economic prosperity and democratic values/freedom.
• Reassurance of Poland’s strength and relative resilience. Despite global turbulence, the address is anticipated to underline that Poland is performing remarkably well in terms of prosperity, defence modernisation and international standing.
• Navigating the shift away from the post-Cold War multipolar order. The speech may address how Poland positions itself amid shaken multilateral institutions, the asymmetric rise of China, uncertainties in U.S. policy and growing bilateralism in European security. It may also touch upon Poland’s pursuit of major bilateral treaties in particular.
• European political geometry and Poland’s rising centrality. The discussion also highlighted Poland’s engagement in formats such as the revived Weimar Triangle and especially its Northern pivot in foreign policy (strong cooperation with Sweden and broader Northern direction). Sikorski’s recent remark that France and Germany are ‘too weak’ without Central Europe may find a reflection in the upcoming address, and signals growing emphasis on the region. Participants have also highlighted that the regional cooperation prospects may improve with potential political change in Hungary and evolving dynamics in Slovakia that open doors for reinvigorated V4, Three Seas, and Bucharest Nine (B9) cooperation.
• Northern and Baltic Sea cooperation. Poland’s current Baltic Sea Council presidency and upcoming ministerial meetings present an opportunity to anchor security-oriented ambitions in the North. The Northern pivot enjoys broad support and aligns threat perceptions in the Baltic Sea region.
• Ukraine as the absolute priority. Support for Ukraine’s survival remains the unifying thread of Polish policy. 

Participants contributed rich insights during the open discussion. Emphasis was placed on the value of Poland-Ukraine defence industry collaboration post-victory, the strategic importance of inviting Nordic Allies to the upcoming B9 summit, and the need to strike the right balance in transatlantic messaging. 

Several voices welcomed the Baltic orientation and hoped for positive references to the Three Seas Initiative. Caution was expressed against over-involvement in Hungary’s election campaign.

In summing up the exchange, the discussion underscored that Poland’s foreign policy is increasingly proactive in multiple directions – strengthening bilateral and minilateral ties with the West and North, while watching closely for openings in Central Europe – all anchored in unwavering support for Ukraine and the intertwined pursuit of security, prosperity and democratic resilience.

Visegrad Insight will continue tracking these themes through publications, events and programmes such as the Resilient Futures Fellowship.

See the photos from the event below: