Poland’s Sikorski says no thanks to EU defense commissioner job

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski is not interested in a potential future role as EU defense commissioner, he told reporters in Warsaw today.

“Such a position does not exist in the EU, and even if it did exist and was offered to me, I do not aspire to it and I am not going anywhere,” the Polish politician said.

The idea of creating the new job comes from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who said she will create a defense portfolio if she wins a second term at the helm of the EU executive.

At first, the plan triggered excitement and Sikorski’s name started to circulate as a potential contender, especially because Central and Eastern European nations suggested the post should go to a country on the frontlines with Russia.

But it soon became clear that the job is likely to end up being a nameplate with not much of a budget or power, as capitals jealously guard their defense sectors from interference from Brussels.