Polish Ambassador Tomasz Kobzdej: “Moldova Needs to Invest in Defense and Seek New Partnerships”

In a recent interview with the IPN News Agency, Tomasz Kobzdej, the Polish Ambassador to Moldova, emphasized the importance of investing in defense and seeking new partnerships for the country’s security

According to the Polish diplomat, neutrality is not a reliable model for Poland, and the historical experiences of his country underline the need for a different approach to security.

Kobzdej explained that during Poland’s period of neutrality, the country suffered significant territorial losses—a lesson that has profoundly influenced Polish strategic thinking. “Neutrality was a security model that worked for some countries, but in Poland’s case, it was detrimental. We lost territories and were deprived of independence for over 120 years. This experience taught us that neutrality is not suitable in the current geopolitical context,” said Ambassador Kobzdej.

The ambassador acknowledged that Moldova has diverse opinions regarding neutrality but emphasized that, regardless of constitutional status, the country needs to invest in defense and develop new partnerships to ensure its security. “Moldova’s National Security Strategy and National Defense Strategy are remarkable documents that identify Russia as the main threat. Investments in defense and seeking partners are crucial for strengthening national security,” the diplomat noted.

Kobzdej praised Moldova’s recent efforts to modernize its armed forces and pointed out that the strategic changes observed in recent years are particularly important. “Moldova must continue its strategic path and be prepared to collaborate with international partners. The changes planned for October will have a significant impact on both socio-economic development and the country’s security,” he added.

The interview was conducted as part of the project “Developing Political Culture in Public Debates,” supported by the German Hanns Seidel Foundation.