Poland in the UK

As the bone-chilling weather has tightened its grip on Britain and those who could have fired up their boilers to get warm, energy prices have soared to record highs. This Christmas, the people of Britain will have been hit not only by cold but also by the cost of living. This real-life impact of energy, food, and financial crises faced by so many is mostly down to one factor: Vladimir Putin’s barbarous war in Ukraine.

Ever since Putin’s forces launched the full-scale invasion on Ukrainian soil, devastating the lives of millions of its inhabitants, the world’s energy, food and financial markets have been in turmoil. It is estimated that 10 months in, the Russian invasion has already affected the lives of around 1.6 billion people in 94 countries, with 1.2 billion of those experiencing crises in energy, food and finance simultaneously. However, Putin’s weaponisation of food and energy supplies aimed at blackmailing and destabilising Ukraine’s allies, especially the West, has not diminished our support. In particular, the Western allies have remained steadfast in unity and solidarity against Russian energy terrorism and since 24 February have become more creative and innovative in increasing energy security and reducing reliance on hostile foreign regimes. This must continue.

Britain, with one of the most diverse energy systems in the world, has never been dependent on Russian energy supplies. Poland too has demonstrated clear leadership on energy security since well before Russia’s aggression against Ukraine by weaning itself off the country’s fossil fuels, especially natural gas, undergoing an energy transition, and diversifying its supplies. The energy security of Central and Eastern Europe has been strengthened through such projects as LNG terminals in Poland, interconnectors with Lithuania and Slovakia, and the Baltic Pipe gas pipeline. All this stands Poland and Britain in good stead to achieve energy independence.

The like-mindedness of our countries has been showcased not only when it comes to energy policy, but also in support for Ukraine. After Russian tanks rolled over the Ukrainian border, Poland and Britain immediately offered the country financial and lethal aid and supported it politically and economically. 

The UK, by imposing sanctions against Russia, including an embargo on Russian raw materials such as oil, petroleum products, coal, and liquefied natural gas, has weakened Russia’s economic and financial ability to wage war against the Ukrainian people. Poland, meanwhile, has been supporting its eastern neighbour in its efforts to rebuild its critical energy infrastructure after the Russian attacks. This assistance comes at a crucial time: temperatures across Ukraine have been plummeting below zero for a while and Russian strikes on power grids have left millions at risk of dying of cold, as they have no reliable access to electricity, central heating, and water. With the situation so dire, we must starve the aggressor of a clientele. Moving away from Russian fossil fuels will also help save another which is so important to us all: climate.

COP conferences, including COP 24 in Katowice, Poland, and COP 26 in Glasgow, have stressed the urgency of accelerating the energy transition. Poland and Britain have adopted a similar strategy: the development of an energy mix based on renewable energy sources and nuclear energy. Nuclear power plants are among the safest and most secure facilities in the world and the power they generate is one of the safest forms of energy generation. While Britain has the ambition to increase nuclear capacity up to 24GW by 2050, the source will also be a vital part of Poland’s energy strategy, with 6 units with 6-9GW planned to be ready by 2043. Nuclear will provide a reliable, sustainable, and safe source of energy and allow us to meet the goals of energy security and climate policy. It will also bring political and economic benefits by avoiding another Russian energy blackmail and lowering prices.

Poland and the UK have championed the “no return to business as usual” approach towards Russia in many aspects. Closer cooperation in the field of ​renewables and energy efficiency combined with a consistent, long-term policy of abandoning Russian raw materials will be beneficial for strengthening our economic relations and boosting the security, stability and prosperity of the European continent. Winter must prove the West’s unity, full solidarity, and unwavering support for Ukraine. Only this will ensure that Ukraine will win this war.

Piotr Wilczek is the Polish Ambassador to the UK

The article is available on The Telegraph's website.