Time to militarize the economy. Will we sacrifice market principles for defense?

• - Although the Ukrainian army is gradually losing more square kilometers of territory, this is a process that remains under control. I believe that the Russians do not have the resources to capture any large Ukrainian city, but they can spread terror thanks to new drone technologies - noted Bartosz Cichocki, former Polish ambassador to Ukraine, in an interview with WNP.
• - In Europe, despite many statements, we mentally live in a peaceful mode, and this is already the time when we need to partially militarize the economy and society - said the former diplomat.
• - Strong internal political polarization in Poland means that every project, even one concerning Poland's security, is contested when the government changes - believes Bartosz Cichocki.

It is difficult to speak of a turning point in the context of the war in Ukraine. At what stage are we now?

- The situation in Ukraine is very difficult, but it seems that this year the country's budget is secured. The decisive factor on the front is the equipment that is produced by Ukrainians themselves: such as drones, artillery ammunition and anti-personnel mines. Although the Ukrainian army is gradually losing more square kilometers of territory, this is a process that remains under control. I believe that the Russians do not have the necessary means to capture any large Ukrainian city, but they can sow terror thanks to new drone technologies.

The first FPV drones have already appeared in Kharkiv and Sloviansk. Due to their activity , the death zone has expanded by another 10-15 kilometers . In addition, large Shahed drones and ballistic missiles are constantly and en masse falling on Kiev and other cities far behind the front, which is supposed to force President Zelensky to make concessions to Russia. In this situation, the lack of adequate military support from the West may lead to Kiev choosing dialogue with Russia on unfavorable terms.

But has Russia overdone it with these attacks? Even Donald Trump has expressed criticism of the Kremlin's conduct. At the same time, it seems that Moscow is ignoring the West's appeals and is acting in accordance with the logic that wherever its soldiers reach, Russia will be.

- Hopefully not. The whole point of a defensive operation is to survive until something breaks down in the Kremlin . We have to believe in what we know from history, namely that dictatorships seem unshakable until suddenly there is no trace of them. Therefore, the West, in addition to condemning Russia on social media, should also increase real aid for Kiev. In this context, if the countries of the so-called coalition of the willing threaten Russia with sanctions in the event of the rejection of the ceasefire offer, they should immediately implement this ultimatum. Empty threats encourage Putin.

The West should defend Ukraine in accordance with the concept of "peace through strength"

- The West should accept President Zelensky's concept of "peace through strength", which is to give Ukraine so much material and military support that Putin understands that he will achieve nothing with war. It is true - the scale of our aid is unprecedented, especially since Ukraine is not a member of the EU or NATO, but it is still too little and too late in the confrontation with the largest land power in the world , which has nuclear weapons.

Has Europe learned its lesson from its policy towards Russia so far? In 2014, the Minsk agreements were supposed to bring peace. The current administration in Washington is far from any reflection.

- It is depressing that the American administration needed several months to reach conclusions that seem obvious to us in Warsaw . It was similar three years ago in Western European capitals. Today, fortunately, no one is discussing the maintenance of Nord Stream or that Kiev should not be sent lethal weapons, the only issue that arises is the intensity of actions.

In Europe, despite many statements, we are mentally living in a peaceful mode, and this is already the time when we should partially militarize the economy and society . Military exercises should not be limited to those willing to participate, they should be introduced as mandatory. We cannot base our defense policy on free market principles. I believe that doubts about loans or contracts cannot block the construction of new production lines, and trade unions cannot block the growth of arms production.

We build highways or hospitals and don't think about whether it will pay off. We should think the same way about the defense industry and defense more broadly.

How should Poland position itself in the context of building an alliance for Ukraine? Our country operates within the so-called Bucharest Nine, which also cooperates strongly with the Nordic countries, and Warsaw continues to focus on a strong alliance with the US and opens up to the Weimar Triangle.

- Poland should, above all, position itself as a credible member of NATO and the European Union. At the same time, I do not see any contradictions in the activities of both the Weimar Triangle and the Bucharest Nine. We need to develop all these formats.

But we also have to remember two fundamental issues regarding defense. The first is demographics . We spend a lot on weapons, and that's very positive, but we also need people to operate that equipment.

Strong political polarization in Poland affects the country's defense

- The second issue is the strong internal political polarization , which causes every major project to be undermined when the government changes because it was proposed by the opponent. A good example is the CPK, which would be of great importance for the country's defense. This project was undermined not because of its substantive deficiencies, but because it was the flagship project of PiS for some time.

On the other hand, PiS is undermining the project of building the EU's strategic autonomy.

- Yes, but that is understandable, because in Europe we cannot be offended by the USA . We do not have certain military capabilities that only the Americans have. Insisting on supporting only weapons manufactured in the European Union will mean that the first tanks, planes, howitzers, etc. adequate to the most probable threat will appear in the perspective of 15 years and will be exclusively made in Germany, France, Italy. Of course, let us support the development of European defense capabilities, but let us not allow ourselves to extinguish our own defense industry or to limit the possibility of buying ready-made equipment "off the shelf". The war in Ukraine teaches us that time and distance decide about survival.

During the years of the so-called professionalization of the Polish army, we disarmed ourselves to such an extent that we now have to hastily rebuild our defense potential. Armament projects go beyond one or two terms. In connection with this, it is necessary to build a political consensus around the defense of the Republic.