Lech Wałęsa, the former President of Poland, urged the United States to take a leading role in the international order by helping Russia become integrated into the global community. Speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank on Feb. 8, he emphasized that if the U.S. doesn’t take action now, the order will crumble, highlighting the importance of leadership in global affairs. Wałęsa stated that the world is beautiful, but peace is needed for Russia to be beautiful as well.
Wałęsa also expressed the need for the U.S. to support Ukraine’s journey toward democratic governance, but underscored that a permanent peace would only be possible by involving the Russian people in reforming their own government. Despite his firm stance against Russian aggression, he insisted that lasting peace must not be sought through military means alone. He proposed that a significant emphasis should be placed on peaceful propaganda efforts, targeting the Russian people to inform them about the realities of the current situation.
Throughout his speech, Wałęsa urged the U.S. and its allies to bring about order, albeit peacefully, to overcome the lasting influence of communism and dismantle the structures that still exist in Russia and China. He cautioned against allowing the dominion of communist powers to continue, while stressing the importance of guiding Russia to embrace a free and democratic path. He urged the international community to seize the moment to help Russia make the necessary reforms for a better future.