Polish MFA warns Putin could take risky steps under mounting war pressure
Photo: Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski (Getty Images)
Russia's economic troubles and the course of the war are increasing pressure on the Kremlin. Polish officials believe this could push Russia's leadership toward riskier actions, according to a statement by Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski on TVP World.
According to Sikorski, Russia's economy is already beginning to feel the effects of the war, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for the authorities to maintain the narrative of a special military operation.
"The Russian economy is beginning to suffer. Russians can’t pretend that it’s an external, special military operation anymore," the Polish foreign minister said.
At the same time, he questioned whether Putin is ready to end the war.
"The question is whether Putin is ready for a deal," Sikorski added.
The minister also said he believes the Kremlin has overestimated its own capabilities.
"Putin's capabilities are less than we had thought, but his intent is even worse," he stressed.
According to Sikorski, the Russian President does not have an objective understanding of the real situation.
"He’s clearly misinformed. He clearly doesn’t have a realistic picture of his situation and of his prospects. Because otherwise he’d make a deal," the Polish minister said.
In his view, Putin's "desperate" position could prompt him to "do something risky." Sikorski made the remarks amid concerns about the possibility of further escalation by Russia.
"A sick man with a gun is still a man with a gun," the minister said.
He added that this is why Poland is increasing its defence spending - to ensure that any potential conflict with Poland would be far more costly for Russia than its current war against Ukraine.
Earlier, Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service (SZRU) reported that Russia has increasingly been financing the war through the covert issuance of rubles.
According to the intelligence agency, the scheme is increasing inflationary risks and highlights the Kremlin's growing difficulty in finding funds to sustain the war.
