DAVOS: Poland’s newly elected government is considering expanding its ammunition and military equipment production capabilities as part of a renewed aid package for Ukraine, announced Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski.
A close ally of Ukraine during Russia’s conflict, Poland aims to enhance its support for Kyiv amid strained relations, including a dispute over grain imports and a blockade of some border crossings by Polish truckers last year. Sikorski’s recent visit to Ukraine signaled a commitment to revitalizing diplomatic ties.
During an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski shared that the government is reassessing its approach to Ukraine, exploring options to increase ammunition and military hardware production and reviewing existing stockpiles. While Poland has provided military and financial aid to Ukraine in the past, these remarks suggest a potential expansion of support.
Poland Calls for Supporting Ukraine
The foreign minister emphasized the importance of deterring Russian aggression and highlighted the potential costs if Ukraine were not adequately supported in defending itself against such aggression. He stated, “The cost of deterring Mr. Putin after he’d conquered Ukraine would be much bigger than the cost of supplying Ukraine to effectively defend itself against his act of aggression.”
Regarding the recent agreement with Polish truckers, who suspended protests calling for the reinstatement of a permit system for Ukrainian hauliers, Sikorski welcomed the resolution. He acknowledged the need for Ukraine and Poland to address ongoing challenges collaboratively.
While expressing solidarity with Ukraine, Sikorski emphasized the importance of a fair distribution of costs among European Union member states, indicating a desire for more equitable burden-sharing.
In response to a US plan to confiscate up to $300 billion in frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s reconstruction, Sikorski endorsed the initiative, stating, “It’s the aggressor who should pay for the damage to Ukraine.”
