‘We see Poland as a model ally on the European continent (...). Poland is simply a strategical front partner on the east flank of NATO" said U.S. Secretary of defence Pete Hegseth in Warsaw, after gathering with the head of MON Władysław Kosiniak-Kamish. "Sometimes erstwhile we look at our friends at a table from different countries, we know that Poland can always be counted on and that you will always follow your words" - stressed the head of the Pentagon.
We want to be “transatlantic”
Big time. A large minute for me, for my wife, with whom we have the United States Secretary of defence and his wife. We welcome you very warmly, thank you very much for being the first place of your authoritative bilateral visit to Poland. This is an expression of our partnership, a common friendship, a common safety strategy for the United States, for Poland, for Europe and for the full world. It's the honor of your secretary's guests.
“The deputy prime minister, the head of the MON, said thank you for the talks about our alliance and NATO.
The Polish-American Alliance has never been as strong as now and we are able to do anything to further make it overnight. That's what we agreed. For joint investment, common safety guarantees, capacity building
“Poland understands threats,” said Kosiniak-Kamish.
These values that unite us request strength. Freedom needs strength, peace needs strength, safety needs strength. And there is no power without spending, without investing in our army... Poland is an example and the secretary publically gave this example in Brussels that Poland is an example of how to take care of its and allied security
“The national defence minister continued, pointing to the modernisation of the army, the defence of the border, and the spending of 5% of GDP on defence.
I thank our taxpayers, thanks to whom we can implement this large plan of transformation of the Polish army. Without them, it wouldn't work due to the fact that they make up and understand.
“At the same time, he said that Europe must spend more on safety to better defend its territory.
The United States wants to cooperate (...). But Europe must besides show its contribution. We realize that very well, and we do. Poland fulfils its allied obligations
“The head of the MON continued, thanking for the presence of US troops in Poland, which he emphasized, gives a sense of safety and truly ensures the safety of our country.
Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz told that the talks besides afraid further purchases and the improvement of cooperation between our defence companies.
To increase production capacity, especially ammunition. Weapons production capacity that is not adequate in Europe at the moment. Europe needs to wake up, Europe needs to invest in the arms industry, and we want to make joint ventures with the States in order to usage these resources together. Poland can and should be an infrastructure hub, service hub, economical hub for the United States. Our strategy is to be a transatlanticist that connects the United States with Europe. due to the fact that Poland is best prepared for this and will best realize the actions that the United States is conducting today. We besides want there to be a service center for U.S. equipment utilized by our allies on the east NATO flank.
“ He stressed.
We besides talked about defending the Polish border, about illegal migration, which we keep on the Polish-Belarusian border, about the challenges that the United States has in this regard
“He added.
The head of the MON said that in the United States, your review of various expenses.
But there is something like abroad Military Financig, a fund for the sake of Poland, for example, modernization of the Polish army we use. These orders of president Trump to suspend backing of various types of support programmes, modernization, transformation, do not include Poland. Thank you very much, Mr Secretary, for your decision on this matter, for making it clear. We are iron partners, friends for good and hard times
said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamish.
Poland as a model ally
U.S. Secretary of defence Pete Hegseth thanked for these “very strong words”.
Our friendship, our bonds are unwavering. We came here to strengthen these words... The warmth of Poles is precious to me. It's my privilege to be here.
“The head of the Pentagon said at the same time that this visit was intended to be the first.
This symbolism is very meaningful. We see Poland as a model ally on the European continent, which wants to invest not only in its defence, but besides in the common defence of the whole. Our relation is strong and strengthens each day. Poland is simply a strategic, front partner on the east flank of NATO. Poland is simply a proven NATO ally
“ He continued.
Words are cheap, easy to throw. But in fact, in its actions Poland sets an example in many things, for example, in terms of arms spending, building readiness. Yesterday in Brussels, we talked about spending very much and the request for a hard power. Diplomacy is important, negotiations are important, but the end of tanks, bullets, helicopters and this “hard power” is the most crucial and Poland understands it well, and we too
He said. Hegseth added that the US are keen to make cooperation in the arms industry.
We would like to accomplish peace through strength, deterrence. Industrial base, Apache, F-35, HIMARS, Patriots, can be replaced. The more you have, the stronger we are. The more systems you have, the more interoperable we are
“The head of the Pentagon pointed out that he thanked Poles for their exceptional support for American forces in Poland.
This contribution from the Polish budget (...) reduces the burden on American taxpayers. I know president Trump stressed that during his first term, we will proceed to do so. The level of this partnership is unparalleled. We have a very akin warrior ethos, and I have repeatedly stressed that.
“The U.S. Secretary of defence continued.
There is no truer ally and a more hard opponent than a Polish soldier. We were together in Iraq, Afghanistan, and we saw it everywhere, besides during planet War II, erstwhile Poles and Americans stood side by side fighting
“ He continued.
You guys are specified a large partner. Sometimes erstwhile we look at our friends at a table from different countries, we know that Poland can always be counted on and that you will always follow your words
“He added.
‘Realism” and question about Ukraine’s borders
Journalists asked Hegseth if it was possible to reconstruct Ukraine's borders before Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.
I think anything is possible. As Secretary of Defense, I have a certain area of what the US represents during these negotiations. In my opinion, today, as well as yesterday in Brussels, there was a certain amount of realism in our talks, realism about returning to the borders before 2014. It's just very unrealistic. And it's not realistic that American soldiers will be in Ukraine.
“The head of the Pentagon replied, adding that “very unrealistic” was besides Ukraine’s NATO membership.
At the same time, I have never limited what the president of the United States would be ready to negociate with the sovereign leaders of Russia and Ukraine. I am in no way limiting these discussions. We simply believe that any realism should be introduced to the expectations of our allies in order to motivate and exploit the possibilities of specified negotiations
“ He continued.
What will these boundaries look like? We'll see. any of these talks will be attended by our President, Zelenski, Putin, and possibly Europe will besides be active in this discussion.
“Hegseth answered.
Persistent Peace
Hegseth was besides asked at a press conference whether "the consent of allies could 1 day make Putin feel brave adequate to attack again" and whether the Russian leader would honor the peace agreement. The Pentagon chief replied that president Donald Trump's goal was to halt force and death, and the ceasefire could “be part of good will at the start of negotiations”.
Hegseth stated that the Russian leader would declare triumph anyway, regardless of the result of the talks.
Thanks to the courage of the Ukrainians and allies who helped at first, Putin managed to prevent him from achieving his goals.
“He said. He added that we now “have a more defined front line”.
I don't think the result of these negotiations dares Putin. He realizes that scaring the West is strong
— Hegseth assessed. He pointed out that it was crucial for NATO to increase its defence capabilities and spending.
He added that there was no request for trust to negociate an agreement.
If you don't trust, you gotta verify it. So there will be verification steps and we will guarantee that peace is lasting
said the U.S. Secretary of Defense.
American soldiers in Ukraine?
Pete Hegseth believes that during the negotiations on ending the conflict there will be no talk of the presence of American soldiers in Ukraine. Europeans should solve this," Hegseth said in Warsaw on Friday.
Hegseth said that he did not believe that during the negotiations on ending the conflict “we will be talking about American soldiers in Ukraine”.
I don't think president Trump would want that. Europeans should solve this and there will be no American soldiers in Ukraine
said the U.S. Secretary of Defense.
He stressed that the national safety squad wants president Donald Trump "to have a full spectrum of options to end the conflict, to end the killing" in Ukraine.
Kosiniak-Kamysz pointed out that negotiations will only begin, but "we must be strong and united as allies, that is, between Poland and the United States".
The head of MON stressed that Poland has been doing a lot since the first day to support Ukraine. He pointed out that "without the participation of Poland there is no transportation of aid to Ukraine" due to the fact that 95 percent of humanitarian aid, military equipment passes through the logistics hub in Poland.
We defend it, we have our forces active to defend this process. And that is the function for Poland in my opinion. This function needs to be developed – logistical safety on many issues for the future, not sending your troops to Ukraine
“The Minister of Defence added.
pl/PAP
