Poland’s Minister of National Defence, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, has stated that sending Polish troops to Ukraine is not a priority, and that focusing on economic support is more crucial for the country’s future stability. In an interview on TVN24, Kosiniak-Kamysz argued that deploying soldiers is not necessarily a guarantee of peace, citing the example of the United Nations mission in Lebanon.
- More News from Poland on our Homepage.
- Sign up to our Newsletter
“Looking at the UN mission in Lebanon, soldiers are not any guarantor of peace,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said. He noted that the presence of troops from numerous countries, including China, has not ensured peace in the region.
Instead, the defence minister emphasised Poland’s role as an “economic, logistical, and infrastructural hub” for Ukraine following the conflict. He believes that sending Polish, European, and American companies to Ukraine is more important than sending soldiers. Kosiniak-Kamysz stressed that Poland’s participation is essential for a just resolution to the conflict.
Kosiniak-Kamysz also addressed the potential risks of deploying troops from countries bordering Russia to the Ukrainian-Russian border. He pointed out that if European soldiers were to be attacked and killed, it could escalate into a wider armed conflict. He suggested that nations bordering Russia might not be the best choice for stabilising the Ukrainian-Russian border, adding that Poland has a different role to play than direct military presence.
Despite downplaying the idea of deploying Polish troops, Kosiniak-Kamysz highlighted Poland’s significant support for Ukraine, including preparing a 46th donation. He noted that allied nations have trained approximately 80,000 to 90,000 Ukrainian soldiers since the war began, with one-third of them trained in Poland.
The defence minister stressed the importance of strengthening NATO’s eastern flank amid threats from Belarus and Russia. “There is no fighting Ukraine without help from Poland,” he stated, emphasising Poland’s role in providing infrastructural, medical, and logistical support.
Regarding the new US administration under Donald Trump, Kosiniak-Kamysz acknowledged the need for Europe to increase its defence spending. He referred to his recent conversation with US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, during which the issue of Europe increasing its spending on armaments was discussed. Kosiniak-Kamysz pointed out the disparity in defence spending between the US and Europe, noting that the US spends 750 billion annually compared to Europe and Canada’s 350 billion.
Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that Europe had believed it could live in perpetual peace for 30 years, but that is not the case. He argued that peace is guaranteed only by the strength of a country’s armies, alliances, and citizens, which requires financial investment.
Support Poland 24
Poland 24 is an independent publication dedicated to providing accurate, insightful, and timely news from Poland. In an era where reliable journalism is more important than ever, we take pride in delivering content that keeps you informed about the latest developments in politics, culture, and society in Poland. However, as an independent outlet, we rely on the support of our readers to continue operating without the influence of corporate sponsors or political agendas. Your donations are crucial to help us maintain the quality of our reporting, covering both major headlines and the stories that often go untold by mainstream media.
By supporting Poland 24, you are not only helping us sustain our website, but you are also contributing to the creation of more diverse, in-depth content. Every donation, big or small, allows us to invest in better resources, hire experienced journalists, and cover a wider range of topics with the detail and attention they deserve. If you value independent journalism and want to see more high-quality content about Poland, please consider donating today. Your support truly makes a difference in our ability to continue bringing important news to the public.
