His remarks come just one day after U.S. President Joe Biden announced his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee.

Harris has also secured endorsements from several key Democratic figures, reshaping the landscape of the upcoming election.

With the American political scene in flux, European politicians are left wondering how a potential Harris presidency might impact transatlantic relations and policies on global security, especially concerning Ukraine and NATO.

However, after stressing that ties between the U.S. and Europe will remain strong, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski added that “regardless of who wins, we have to take more responsibility for Europe’s defense and security.”

“In my opinion, Europe has no other choice but [to] get ready for a change. America will keep an eye close on Asia. It is our job to explain to our U.S. partners that as long as we are feeling Russia’s threat, we won’t be able to engage fully there,” he said.

Sikorski also said that the European leaders must dispel the false narrative that supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression and ensuring defense of NATO are burdensome for the U.S.

Transatlantic relations

Ahead of the EU foreign ministers’ meeting on Monday in Brussels, Sikorski is circulating a discussion paper emphasizing the need for Europe to avoid complacency in its transatlantic relations. The five-page document outlines several crucial points.

The paper first addresses economic perceptions, noting that Europe must tackle widespread American beliefs that the U.S. is being taken advantage of in trade by its European partners.

It also argues that European leaders must counteract Russian efforts to foster isolationist tendencies in the U.S. and support robust communication about the EU’s value to American interests.

“If Moscow can encourage isolationist tendencies among Americans, persuade them the United States has no real interests worth fighting for in Europe, and motivate them to oppose military assistance to Ukraine,” the paper warns, “then the Kremlin could win not only a military war in Ukraine but a hybrid one all across the West.”

The document also addresses generational differences in the U.S. in regards to perceptions about Russia, recommending that policymakers tailor their arguments to resonate with younger Americans who may be less familiar with Russia’s history, particularly of the Soviet Union.

Lastly, the paper emphasizes the importance of presenting a unified European voice in transatlantic relations, urging the EU to strengthen its strategic communication and demonstrate that it remains a crucial ally to the U.S.