Poland has declared it will continue to supply weapons to Ukraine, ensuring it does not compromise its security. On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a bilateral security agreement with Poland in Warsaw to strengthen ties with one of Ukraine's closest wartime allies.
So far, Poland has provided Ukraine with 44 military aid packages worth €4 billion and has pledged additional support for this year and beyond.
"Only together can Ukraine and Poland be free and strong. This is the sole way we can defend ourselves against Russian terror and protect our freedom and independence," Zelenskyy and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in a joint statement. Poland has also committed to further training Ukrainian forces and continuing its role as a logistics hub for Western weapon deliveries to Kyiv.
Ukraine has promised to reform, share intelligence, and provide battlefield insights to Poland. Additionally, Ukraine will help modernize the Polish military, according to a statement from the Ukrainian president’s office.
"We treat every word in this agreement as mutual commitments — not empty promises," Tusk emphasized. "We know very well that this war, if it ended badly, would end badly not only for Ukraine but also for Poland, for all of Europe, and the entire Western world."
This agreement with Poland marks the 21st bilateral security deal Ukraine has signed with its allies. These agreements include provisions for long-term military and financial aid, training for Ukrainian troops, and weapons deliveries but do not require signatories to engage in combat on Ukraine's behalf.
Kyiv hopes these agreements will act as a temporary substitute for NATO membership until Ukraine can join the alliance, a topic set for discussion at this week’s NATO summit in Washington. However, the non-binding nature of these agreements means future governments could easily withdraw from them.
The Polish agreement contains unique elements compared to Ukraine's other security deals. Poland agreed to encourage Ukrainian refugees in Poland, numbering over 1 million, to return to Ukraine to serve in its military upon Kyiv's request. Zelenskyy and Tusk also agreed to explore the possibility of intercepting Russian missiles and drones fired toward Poland, some of which have crossed into Polish airspace without interception.
Additionally, Poland will consider delivering a squadron of MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine, provided it does not weaken Poland's security. Poland has already donated 10 Soviet-era jets to Ukraine.
"I said very clearly: We will help because your security is our security, but we will not do anything that will weaken our immediate security, that is, our capabilities. We are talking here about jet fighters and armaments that are sometimes as necessary for Poland as for Ukraine," Tusk stated.
Comments
Post a Comment