Georgia strategic partner for Poland, not a country to “lecture from a distance”, says Marcin Rosołowski from Staszic Institute Foundation

Marcin Rosołowski, a board member of the Staszic Institute Foundation, has published an analytical article highlighting the strategic importance of Georgia to Poland.

Rosołowski frames Poland’s policy toward Georgia as a test of Poland's own independence, arguing that Warsaw must view Tbilisi as an equal strategic partner rather than a subordinate state to be looked down upon or lectured.

According to Rosołowski, isolating Georgia will not make the country more European, instead, it will weaken it and push it into the spheres of influence of more powerful global actors.

Rosołowski emphasises that Poland must forge its own path in the region rather than echoing Western European stances.

“Poland must not copy German reflexes or Brussels’ statements. It needs its own Caucasian policy - realistic, based on patience, oriented toward interests, and backed by the shared historical memory of imperial pressure and respect for sovereignty”, Rosołowski writes.

While he notes that discussing democratic standards and encouraging reforms in Tbilisi is entirely appropriate, he stresses that a true partnership requires dialogue, not demonstrative distancing.

The article warns that turning away from Tbilisi will yield counterproductive results for both Georgia and the West. An isolated Georgia will not become more European, Atlanticist, or friendlier to Poland. Instead, it will become weaker, more isolated, and easier to manipulate by dominant regional powers. Therefore, Poland should remain at the negotiating table precisely when others demonstratively leave it.

Rosołowski urges Warsaw to remain consistent in its foreign policy, even when it means going against prevailing political trends in Berlin or Brussels. He argues that the Caucasus is too critical a region for Warsaw to surrender its independent voice.

“Poland's policy toward Georgia must stem from Polish interests, not from the emotions, calculations, or complexes of others”, Rosołowski concludes. “A state that voluntarily renounces its own policy will, sooner or later, begin implementing the policies of others”.