Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski at high-level week of 81st UN General Assembly in New York

"Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all," is the theme of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. The issue of change, particularly in the context of security and the development of artificial intelligence, was raised not only during the general debate but also in bilateral meetings.

Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski carried out a busy schedule of meetings, during which he presented Poland's position on the most important challenges to international security and the future of multilateral cooperation. The minister consistently highlighted the significance of defending the principles of the UN Charter and international law, the need for effective multilateralism and for continued support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.

In its statements, the Polish delegation attached particular importance to respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and to accountability for international law violations-principles, which form the foundation of a stable international order. An important aspect of Polish activity was also dialogue with countries of the Global South and presenting the consequences of Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

During a UN Security Council session on Ukraine, Minister Sikorski directly addressed Russia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov, setting the record straight regarding the Russian foreign minister's lies and explaining the reasons for Russian escalation. The head of Polish diplomacy pointed out that

After more than four years of a senseless colonial war, Vladimir Putin has achieved nothing. He is running out of troops and resources and needs a pretext to mobilize. His unnecessary war has killed or wounded one and a half million Russians. Millions of Ukrainians and other Europeans are increasingly in danger. At any moment, Putin might try to provoke a NATO country and spread the war further, as we have heard from others

- said Minister Sikorski.

The head of the Polish MFA addressed Russian politicians:

To the representatives of the Russian Federation, I have this to say: You have been trying to conquer Donbas for over twelve years and Kyiv for over four. You have been stopped by heroic Ukraine, a country with one tenth of Russia's GDP. But Poland has almost half of your GDP. Europe has ten times your GDP and NATO has 25 times your GDP. You can still kill a lot more people, but you cannot win. You can stop this imperial war of choice at any time

- said the head of Polish diplomacy.

During the UN high-level week meetings, Minister Sikorski talked with NATO's Secretary Mark Rutte and took part in the meeting of foreign ministers of Poland, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom with foreign ministers of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea on the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific. He also took part in the Visegrád Group foreign ministers' meeting with the foreign minister of India. Traditionally, an informal meeting of the EU heads of diplomacy (FAC) was held. Minister Sikorski also met with US Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Ruben Gallego and attended a ministerial meeting on ensuring accountability for Ukraine.

Moreover, his schedule included a series of bilateral meetings with representatives of other countries, senior UN officials, and representatives of various sectors, including Polish diaspora start-ups and venture capital investors.

Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski met with top diplomats from: Peru, Nepal, Greenland, India, Kazakhstan, Egypt, Mauritania, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan. Additionally, on behalf of EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, the head of Polish diplomacy held consultations with the foreign minister of Cameroon.

During the meetings, Minister Sikorski stressed the need to further increase international support for Ukraine. He also pointed out the importance of developing a joint vision of an international order based on respect for all countries' rights and capable of responding to the Russian threat.

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For more information on Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski's visit in New York, go to:

• Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski takes part in high-level week of 81st UN General Assembly in New York
• Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski attends opening of 81st UN General Assembly general debate in New York