‘Le Monde’: France seeks to bring the military closer to Poland

Interia cooperates with leading editors in the world. In our weekly, Friday series "The Closer World" we print the most interesting texts of the most crucial abroad newspapers. The diary "Le Monde", from which the following article originates, was founded in late 1944. Since then, the paper has been among the most widely read by the French and has been the leading voice in the public debate.

While at the beginning of the period Poland includes the Presidency in Council of the European Union – strong will to make advancement on issues Security and Defence – on Monday 13 January (French – ed.) Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu Reporting in Warsaw. The visit focuses primarily on support for Ukraine in a formula, which was besides attended by defence ministers at the initiative of Poland Italy, Germany and United Kingdom.

Lecorn's visit follows the first gathering of representatives of 5 European countries held in Berlin November 25th. She besides followed the 1 in which Emmanuel Macron went on December 12, 2024. The French head of state then arrived Warsawto talk to, among others, the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tuski about sending troops to Ukrainewhen the possible of peace negotiations between Kiev a Moscow She seemed closer. On Monday, however, Lecorn's visit concerns further issues, since Donald Tusk he was very reticent about the "coalition" task of peacekeeping forces.

– The precedence for Poland is not to send troops, but to confirm the continuation sending arms to Ukraine, improvement of this kind of production in Europe and to guarantee that industrial production in defence sector she kept up with her time – explains Amélie Zima, a specialist in Poland and NATO French Institute of global Relations (IFRI). – Aim Warsaw is to Kiev was not forced to grant territorial concessions to Russia, otherwise in her eyes she will win the policy of facts made – adds the researcher.

Warsaw He has serious doubts about sending troops. By ‘Le Monde’ Poles would alternatively deploy far from their borders, in Donbas, not in western Ukraine. This is frequently mentioned due to the fact that in Volyn – located between Poland a Belarus region Ukraine – there are inactive issues of memory between Poles and Ukrainians due to the massacres that took place there during planet War II. In addition, Polish army He has small experience outside his territory, so he would alternatively keep his troops on another missions. Finally, according to the rules UN – intervention forces they mostly do not consist of soldiers from a country bordering the conflict.

Warsaw is much more comfortable to strengthen itself in its function in the back room, which it has done since the beginning of the war; whether it is about transportation military supplies to Kiev, or training of Ukrainian forces. Poland is besides a host country Mission for European Union Military Assistance supporting Ukraine. The country besides invests intensively in rail and road infrastructure, as a key issue Military mobilitywhich is essential for the fast transportation of all logistical support.

On Monday, Lecorn's visit is alternatively Trying to strengthen the links between industrial cooperation in defence. Is this about production of ammunition for Ukraine – France He has 1 of the fewer in his territory powder production plants in Europe, or advancement in bilateral relations. Simultaneously Poland has immense ambitions of capabilities (defensive – ed.), far beyond what France plans for itself under its military programme in force from now until 2030.

Poland has been conducting policy since 2022 mass reinforcements, which includes, inter alia, a recovery plan from South Korea even a 1000 Black Panther tanks. So far it's been delivered 180 vehicles, and nearly a 100 more should scope the Vistula River in 2025 – emphasized in the forthcoming IFRI analysis on the Polish army. The same applies to haubic, ordered from South Koreans close to 700 pieces and rocket launchers (290 pieces) and almost 500 HIMARS rocket artillery systemsThis time with United States.

– Even if they only scope half of what they said, Poles will have the most powerful army in Europe – believes Léo Péria-Peigné, investigator from the IFRI and (together with Amélie Winter) co-author of this analysis. – In most segments France is, however, somewhat delayed in relation to the marketplace – adds the arms expert. Most large contracts has already been activated. At this phase French producers are so forced to prepare more secondary or long-term calls for tender.

For example Poland from 2023 he seeks to get conventional submarines – there is only 1 working. Naval Group She went into the race. In fresh months Paris besides convinced Warsaw to join Elsa initiativesto make Long-range earth-to-earth missile together with London, Rome and Berlin. – Warsaw besides seems curious in obtaining Meteor air-to-air missiles – notes Péria-Peigné.

However, the conditions imposed by Poles before signing specified contracts are highly hard. According to Polish lawfor each arms contract, part of production must be located in Poland – what is called jargon "industrial offset". In this way Warsaw is to support its main state arms company – PZZwhich has faced any difficulties in fresh years. These criteria are hard to accept by the French, who besides care about protecting the interests of their defence manufacture base.

In any cases, Poles do not hesitate to ask for alleged "indirect" compensation, specified as military stationing in their territory, which is simply a form of additional safety warrant in the case of Russian attack. “The Americans have frequently won contracts thanks to this,” emphasised Péria-Peigné. In the country there is about 10,000 US Army soldiers.

If France will not be able to meet this requirement, can play another card: training. – Poles are very curious in experiences French Army – says the researcher, reminding that Warsawthat pursues doubling the size of your armymust train a large number of staff. This is simply a recruitment nonsubjective which is hard to accomplish today, and thus undermines the credibility of its arms activities.

However, Paris must rebuild its relation with Warsaw based on trust. Concise diplomatic line by Emmanuel Macron against the Russian leader Vladimir Putin fromThe beginning of the war in Ukraine remains a dense burden for Poland. “The Poles are looking for encouragement and guarantees,” says Winter.

– Is it in the area of deterrence, given how France can consider its scope nuclear umbrellaor demanding, for example, that France formally pronounce NATO-Russia act 1997, which limits the number on paper military quotas Possible deployment on the east flank.

In order to alleviate these tensions, Paris and Warsaw are active in the renegotiation of the cooperation agreement, which should take the form of a treaty signed in spring in Nancy. This would be a way to align cooperation with Poland, Germany, Italy is Spainby addressing the issue Defence a more general whole. In this context, Paris and Warsaw could besides find material for discussion on a somewhat different subject, brought to Brussels au Polish Presidency: Off Defence expenditure under the celebrated restrictive regulation Annual budget deficit up to 3% of gross home product.

Article translated from ‘Le Monde’. Written by Chloé Hoorman, Elise Vincent

== sync, corrected by elderman ==

The title, lead, midtitle and abbreviations come from the editorial