The aim of the article is to analyse the strategic choices made in international relations by minor states, that is those that are not considered great powers, with special focus on members of integration structures. The analysis concerns in particular countries that are considered peripheral, having a very weak position in the international system due to both their geographical location and small geopolitical potential. The article is divided into two major parts. The first one points out the most important threads in the theoretical discussion about the geopolitical role of minor and peripheral countries. In the second part the author verifies the key conclusions from this debate concerning the example of Poland, and specifically Poland’s policy in the European Union as well as other foreign policy measures taken by the Polish authorities.