Poland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Radosław Sikorski, has been named an Honorary Fellow of Pembroke College, Oxford — the first Polish national to receive this distinction, according to an
announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A photo shared by the ministry captures the moment Sikorski received the honorary fellowship, highlighting a historic achievement for both the diplomat and his homeland.
Ministry spokesperson Paweł Wroński confirmed the honor via social media, emphasizing that Sikorski is the first Pole to be granted this prestigious recognition by the college.
Joining a distinguished circle
Grateful for the honor from his alma mater, Sikorski reflected on the legacy of those who came before him.
"To find myself in the company of greats like Samuel Johnson and J.R.R. Tolkien is truly humbling," he said. Johnson, an 18th-century literary giant, and Tolkien, beloved author of The Lord of the Rings, are among Pembroke’s most celebrated historical figures.
From communist-era Poland to Oxford halls
Sikorski’s journey from Poland to Oxford began in the early 1980s, during the communist regime. After traveling to the UK to study English, he applied for political asylum in 1981 following the imposition of martial law in Poland. His asylum was granted the following year.
He studied at Pembroke College from 1982 to 1985, earning a BA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE), which was later elevated to an MA. He also completed Poland’s Higher Defense Course at the National Defense Academy in 1999.
Addressing EU defense claims
In other recent news, Sikorski responded firmly to opposition leader Jarosław Kaczyński of the Law and Justice (PiS) party, rejecting claims that Poland had agreed to cede control over its military or defense budget to the European Union.
"You're lying," Sikorski replied bluntly on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). He clarified that while no such decisions have been made, enhancing EU defense capabilities and securing European funding for defense aligns with Poland’s national interests.
The comments came after the Sejm, Poland’s lower house of parliament, endorsed a European Parliament resolution aimed at strengthening EU defense. This includes the East Shield initiative — a program designed to reinforce Poland’s eastern frontier as part of a broader strategy to reduce Europe’s dependency on the U.S. for security. The resolution has faced opposition from both PiS and the far-right Confederation party. Photo by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Wikimedia commons.