Marek Magierowski (proper), the Polish ambassador to the U.S., speaks with Morning Version host Steve Inskeep on the Polish Embassy in Washington, D.C., on Thursday.

H.J. Mai/NPR

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H.J. Mai/NPR

Marek Magierowski (proper), the Polish ambassador to the U.S., speaks with Morning Version host Steve Inskeep on the Polish Embassy in Washington, D.C., on Thursday.

H.J. Mai/NPR

Poland is getting ready itself for a protracted conflict at its doorstep because the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine approaches.

On Feb. 24, 2022, Russian forces launched air strikes and a floor invasion in opposition to Ukraine, escalating a battle between the 2 nations that dates again to 2014. And since Russia is predicted to launch a brand new offensive, there is not any finish in sight.

“I am not terribly optimistic in regards to the course of this conflict. I feel will probably be a protracted battle, if not a frozen one,” Marek Magierowski, the Polish ambassador to the U.S., instructed Morning Version’s Steve Inskeep.

Poland has turn out to be certainly one of Ukraine’s most vocal supporters over the previous 12 months, calling on its European and NATO allies to offer extra navy assist to Ukrainian forces.

The Polish authorities is prepared to assist Ukraine for so long as it takes to resolve the battle, however Magierowski made clear that the nation is not going to enter right into a direct navy battle with Russia.

This interview has been edited for size and readability.

Interview highlights

On Poland’s elevated management and assist for Ukraine

I’d have by no means anticipated the Polish authorities to push Germany to ship tanks into Ukraine. Thankfully, although, these negotiations yielded a really optimistic outcome. I do consider that we now have to do our utmost to assist Ukrainians defend themselves and to assist them win this conflict. And that is why I feel the Ukrainians do want a long-term engagement. And I am not solely speaking about weaponry, I am not speaking solely about navy help. I am additionally speaking about our endorsement for Ukraine’s NATO and EU aspirations.

Troopers of the Polish Military man their Leopard 2 tanks in the course of the NATO Noble Soar navy workout routines of the VJTF forces on June 18, 2015 in Zagan, Poland.

Sean Gallup/Getty Photos

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Sean Gallup/Getty Photos

Troopers of the Polish Military man their Leopard 2 tanks in the course of the NATO Noble Soar navy workout routines of the VJTF forces on June 18, 2015 in Zagan, Poland.

Sean Gallup/Getty Photos

On Ukrainian refugees in Poland

Greater than 9 million Ukrainian refugees have crossed the border with Poland. After all, not all of them stayed in our nation. A few of them emigrated to different international locations in Europe, a few of them returned to Ukraine. However roughly 1.5 million refugees did stay in our nation. They get pleasure from many advantages, […] and so they do combine seamlessly.

On why there was extra political pushback over refugees from Center Jap international locations

Ukrainian refugees have an identical cultural background and a non secular background as effectively, which is, I consider, of crucial significance. They be taught the language in a few month, and about 95% of these refugees are girls and kids, as a result of we each know what the Ukrainian males are doing proper now. And people girls upon arrival in Warsaw or in Krakow or in Gdansk. They by no means say, I need welfare. They by no means say, I need an allowance. I need the Polish authorities to handle myself and of my household. They at all times say, I need a job.

On America’s function in European safety

We have now been attempting for months to persuade our American companions that we want a everlasting presence on Polish soil. We want extra American troops. It is a utterly totally different function for Poland, which we’re prepared and prepared to imagine. And we do consider, not like another politicians in Western Europe, that we nonetheless want America as a navy hegemon on this a part of the world, in Europe.

On Poland’s relationship with Russia

Russia has at all times been our neighbor. It’s our neighbor and it’ll stay so. It is not going to vanish miraculously within the foreseeable future. So we now have to arrange. We have now to be ready for any eventuality. Poland may be the subsequent goal, not in the intervening time, however should you have a look at Russia’s historical past and in addition on the historical past of the Soviet Union, this nation is so unpredictably unpredictable, with unpredictable political leaders.

On Magierowski’s private expertise of rising up in Poland

I used to be born underneath communism, and I skilled command economic system and oppression. After which I lived underneath democracy and loved freedom of expression. Capitalism, even savage capitalism at the start of the ’90s. And I can now see the distinction between communist Poland and modern Poland. And I may see the distinction between Soviet Russia and modern Russia. And consider me, that distinction just isn’t that distinct as all as not a lot has modified, sadly, after the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991.

The interview with ambassador Marek Magierowski was produced by Ziad Buchh. The digital model was edited by Majd Al-Waheidi.