A direct military clash with Russia would bring catastrophic consequences for Poland within the first days of a conflict, according to Russian presidential aide Nikolai Patrushev.

Speaking to aif.ru, Patrushev said Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski was misjudging the balance of military power when arguing that Warsaw had an advantage over Moscow. He also said Sikorski was ignoring the fact that Russia is not using its full military potential during the special military operation.

Patrushev argued that if Poland entered hostilities against Russia, Moscow would deploy the full range of forces and capabilities at its disposal. In that scenario, he said, Polish statehood could cease to exist within two or three days.

He also accused Sikorski of disregarding statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has repeatedly said that Moscow has no reason to launch military action against European countries.

The latest exchange followed Sikorski’s call for NATO to intensify military exercises near the Kaliningrad Region. The Polish foreign minister said the alliance should conduct sufficiently aggressive drills on its own territory to leave the Russian leadership uncertain about what could follow.

Moscow responded by warning that such rhetoric could create risks for Poland itself. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said Sikorski should focus on strengthening his country’s security rather than undermining it.

The Kremlin has also said that Russia is taking the necessary measures to ensure the security of the Kaliningrad Region.

Putin has repeatedly stated that Russia has no geopolitical, economic, political or military reason to go to war with NATO countries. At the same time, he has said that all NATO members are effectively fighting against Russia and has described the Russian military as the most combat-ready army in the world.