Poland pushes for greater defence contributions from allies, echoing Trump’s message

Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, has called on US allies, including Japan, to increase defence spending in light of growing security challenges in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region.

Speaking in Tokyo, Sikorski emphasized the need for nations to follow Poland's example and prioritize military preparedness, Caliber.Az reports citing Japanese media.

Sikorski’s comments echo the stance of US President Donald Trump, who had urged NATO allies to spend more on defence during his first term.

Sikorski remarked, “My message (for Japan) is actually the same as that of US President (Donald) Trump,” referencing Trump’s call for greater defence contributions.

“What we would like him (Trump) to hear now is that we've listened, and we have increased our spending,” he added.

Sikorski’s remarks came ahead of meetings with Japanese officials, including Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Defence Minister Gen Nakatani. The trip also marked the signing of a new “action plan” between Japan and Poland, outlining the future trajectory of their bilateral relations.

“Japan knows best what's good for Japan, but I understand it is rapidly increasing its defence spending as well. So on this, like many other things, we have the same mindset,” Sikorski noted.

The call for increased defence spending aligns with the broader push for European nations to invest more in their military capabilities, particularly as neighboring threats such as China, Russia, and North Korea continue to bolster their military forces. Poland is set to increase its defence spending to 4.7 per cent of GDP this year. Sikorski cautioned, “Russia's invasion of Ukraine has finally made Europeans realize that they've become too dependent on US military deterrence,” adding that many European nations have neglected their own defence needs.

Japan’s defence spending is on track to reach ¥8.7 trillion ($55.1 billion) for fiscal 2025, but challenges like inflation and political instability may complicate Japan’s ability to meet its defence spending targets. 

By Vafa Guliyeva