Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau believes that the current security crisis has shown that Europe is unable to defend itself without help from the United States. The Associated Press reports that.

"Poland sees the involvement of the United States in European security as fundamental to peace in Europe," Rau said at a meeting with Polish ambassadors Tuesday.

He stressed that it was U.S. leadership in NATO that was key in "the rapid and effective adaptation to the Russian threat in 2016."

"The current crisis clearly shows that without the United States, Europe cannot defend itself," the Polish foreign minister said.

He added that Washington should not take full responsibility for defending peace in Europe, which also "rests on the shoulders" of European allies.