Kosiniak-Kamysz: There is no NATO without the USA. There is an urgent need to increase military spending

After the meeting in Ramstein, Deputy Prime Minister and head of the Ministry of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz assessed, among others: with the NATO Secretary General that Poland's perspective on security and threat issues is “well received” in the Alliance. – We are a proven and loyal ally and we fulfill our obligations – he said.

On Thursday, the head of the Ministry of National Defense went to the American air base in Ramstein, Germany; at the invitation of the commander of NATO troops in Europe, General Alexus Grynkewich, he met there with the most important officers from the armed forces of NATO countries, as well as the Secretary General of the Alliance, Marek Rutte. The meeting was to focus primarily on Poland's role in the Alliance and its operational capabilities, as well as mobilizing European allies to increase defense spending.

At a press conference after his return, Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized that in his speech he drew attention to increasing European spending “to make Europe an equal partner in terms of military capabilities to the United States.” – Europe's responsibility must be greater – he emphasized.

The Deputy Prime Minister argued that “there is no NATO without the United States, but there is also no strength of the United States as a global power without its participation in NATOHe also expressed satisfaction with the fact that appeals about the need to urgently increase military spending by the allies to the level of 5% of GDP were “so well received”; Allies agreed to such a commitment during last year's NATO summit in The Hague.

– We also talked about the ability of allied troops to operate in various parts of the world and how important Poland's presence is in all this – he reported. – I talked about our experiences, common history, but also about the fact that NATO is not only an institution and a treaty, it is not only meetings of ministers, but above all, soldiers, their stories, their lives and the risk of giving their own blood and their own lives – said the head of the Ministry of National Defense.

I am very glad that Poland's voice is heard and listened to

He said that inviting him, as the only defense minister in NATO, to Thursday's meeting “shows how important Poland's role is today (…) and how Poland's view on the matter of our common security is perceived in the structure of the North Atlantic Alliance countries, how we are an important and proven ally.”

– I am very happy that Poland's voice is heard and listened to; Poland's voice, our perspective on security and threats, our sensitivity, are well received in NATO. We are a proven, loyal ally and we will fulfill all obligations towards our allies under the North Atlantic Treaty, including Article 5, and we count on solidarity, because the Alliance is a two-way solidarity, said Kosiniak-Kamysz.

On Thursday, the Deputy Prime Minister also met with NATO Secretary General Marek Rutt, with whom – as he said – he talked, among others, on support for Ukraine and defense capabilities acquired by Poland, as well as on the EU SAFE instrument, under which Poland will be able to benefit from an additional EUR 44 billion for defense investments.

The head of the Ministry of National Defense was asked, among others: about the transfer of parts of the MiG-29 combat aircraft remaining in the Polish Air Force to Ukraine, which has been announced for several weeks and in return, Ukraine transfers to Poland, among others, access to Ukrainian drone technologies.

– There is openness on our part, the staffs are talking to each other, there is also a review of the capabilities and possibilities of using MiGs by the Ukrainian army. Representatives of the Ukrainian Armed Forces will probably arrive soon to assess whether any service activities or other matters still need to be resolved, announced the head of the Ministry of National Defense.

As he said, “on the other hand, we are introducing the principle of reciprocity.” – We are giving something very important, but we also expect drone capabilities. It's not about it being drone equipment, it's more about acquiring skills and abilities. We are talking about this very intensively and we are on the right track, but the final decision, i.e. any resolution of the Council of Ministers in this regard, has not been taken yet, we are waiting for arrangements between the staffs – said the head of the Ministry of National Defense. (PAP)

mml/mro/