Poland's Sikorski urges NATO to step up exercises near Kaliningrad to draw Russian forces from Ukraine
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, speaking at the YES conference in Kyiv, called on NATO to intensify military exercises near Russia's Kaliningrad Oblast in order to force Moscow to redeploy some of its troops from Ukraine. When asked whether he was proposing that NATO seize Kaliningrad by force, Sikorski answered "No," saying the goal was to keep Russia uncertain about NATO's intentions so it would have to move forces there.
Key points
- Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski called on NATO to strengthen military exercises near Russia's Kaliningrad Oblast.
- Sikorski made the remarks at the annual YES meeting in Kyiv.
- He said aggressive enough NATO exercises could force the Kremlin to redeploy forces from Ukraine to the region.
- Asked if he was proposing NATO seize Kaliningrad by force, Sikorski answered "No."
- According to Sikorski, there are currently practically no troops in the Kaliningrad Oblast.
- US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said on 3 September that allies must be ready to deter Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and that NATO countries need to boost defense spending and weapons production.
Why it matters
A NATO member state's foreign minister publicly proposed using allied exercises on NATO's eastern flank as a tool to relieve pressure on Ukraine by drawing Russian forces away, delivered at a major policy forum in Kyiv. The call signals Polish backing for a more assertive NATO posture toward Russia and sits alongside parallel US messaging through Ambassador Matthew Whitaker that allies must raise defense spending and readiness.
What happened
Speaking at the YES conference in Kyiv, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski urged NATO to strengthen military exercises near Russia's Kaliningrad Oblast, arguing that aggressive enough drills on NATO's side could keep the Kremlin uncertain about allied intentions and force it to redeploy some of its forces from Ukraine. Sikorski noted that there are currently practically no troops in Kaliningrad. Asked whether he was proposing that NATO seize the Kaliningrad Oblast by force, he answered "No." Earlier in September, US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said on 3 September that allies must be ready to deter Russian dictator Vladimir Putin or other adversaries in case of an attack, and stressed the need for NATO countries to increase defense spending and weapons production.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Both Ukrainian-language outlets lead with Sikorski's call to intensify NATO exercises near Kaliningrad and his stated aim of pulling Russian troops away from Ukraine, presenting the proposal as directly relevant to Ukraine's security.
Where reporting differs
Sources differ in confidence and exact phrasing: some reports state Sikorski argued the exercises should force Russia to redeploy forces from Ukraine, while others frame his point as creating strategic uncertainty for the Kremlin without specifying redeployment.