Warsaw: Poland's foreign minister on Wednesday accused President Karol Nawrocki of laying the groundwork for Poland's exit from the European Union, local media reported. Citing a speech by the president on last week's Polish Independence Day, Radoslaw Sikorski stated: "You are laying the psychological and political ground for leaving the European Union, for Polexit."

According to Anadolu Agency, Sikorski mentioned that the president had accused some pro-EU politicians of being "ready to hand over Polish freedom, independence, and sovereignty piecemeal to foreign institutions, tribunals, and foreign agencies of the European Union." Sikorski further added, "By insinuating that European integration is a conspiracy against Poland, you are helping neither the EU nor Poland."

Sikorski emphasized that if Poland were to leave the bloc, it would not only be poorer but also less safe, more isolated, and more vulnerable to invasion. He argued, "It's not membership in the European Union that leads to a loss of sovereignty, but the opposite. It was thanks to throwing off the communist yoke and regaining sovereignty that we were able to join the European Union."

He also highlighted that Russia, its institutions, and its military intelligence service, the GRU, pose the biggest threat to Poland, and urged the president to focus on these issues.

In response, the presidency on Wednesday countered Sikorski's accusations, stating, "This is not the time for arguments. This is not the time for your inner emotions." Marcin Przydacz, head of the International Policy Bureau, urged, "Please come to your senses during this difficult time for Polish security," in a statement released by the presidency.

The exchange of criticisms comes just days after what Warsaw has termed attacks on Polish railway lines by Ukrainian nationals allegedly directed by Russian intelligence, amid what officials describe as a growing wave of sabotage attempts.