Today at 01:09
Poland continues to provide Ukraine with crucial military aid while significantly enhancing its own defense capabilities within NATO, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said during a joint press conference with Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in Warsaw, UATV English reports.
Rutte thanked NATO troops stationed in Poland, noting that forces from Romania, Croatia, the UK, and Poland are deployed at the base he visited.
“The forward-deployed land forces here are just one example of how allies come together in service of our collective security. This also reflects Poland’s numerous contributions to our collective deterrence and defense on land, at sea, and in the air,” Rutte said.
He praised Poland’s commitment to increase its military by 300,000 personnel by 2035 and to invest over 4.5% of GDP in defense, with the figure set to rise in 2026.
Rutte also highlighted Poland’s “critically important support for Ukraine”, noting that since the full-scale Russian invasion, Warsaw has provided over €4 billion in military aid to Kyiv, including $100 million for the PURL initiative, and has hosted numerous Ukrainian refugees.
Additionally, Poland hosts a key military logistics hub for Ukraine and the NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training, and Education Center (JATEC).
“NATO is united and ready to deter aggression, protect our freedom and security, and continue our vital support to Ukraine,” Rutte concluded.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to visit Poland on Friday, 19 December, where he will meet with Karol Nawrocki to discuss security, economic, and historical issues.
For context, Rutte previously warned that a multi-layered security guarantee for Ukraine must be comprehensive and send a clear signal to Russia that any renewed aggression would have devastating consequences for the Kremlin.
