We have an unparalleled bond. We know that Poland can be counted on," said Pete Hegseth, Secretary of defence of the United States, after talking to Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamish. Among others, the issues of Polish-American cooperation and support with the US were discussed. “The provisions on the suspension of backing of various types of programmes do not include Poland,” said the head of the MON.
The U.S. Secretary of defence met in Warsaw present with Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamish and president Andrzej Duda.
– This is an expression of our partnership, common relationship and safety strategy for the United States, Poland, Europe and the full world," said Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamish at a joint press conference with Pete Hegseth. He thanked the American politician for Poland chose to replace the first bilateral visit to Europe.
– The Polish-American Alliance was never as strong as it is now. We can do anything to make it more overnight. This is what we agreed on, for joint investments, common safety guarantees, to rise our defence capabilities – mentioned the Deputy Prime Minister. Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz added that further purchases of military equipment were besides discussed, which Poland will do in the United States and about the cooperation of arms companies. “To increase production capacity, especially ammunition,” he explained.
Film: Anita Blinkiewicz, Aleksander Kruk / ArmedTV
At the same time, the head of the MON stressed that Poland “may should be an infrastructure hub, service, economical 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 understands the actions that the US is conducting today,” said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. And he declared: "We want there to be a service center for American equipment, which our allies usage on the east flank of NATO.
But it's not the only subject of the meeting. Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said he had very good information about the American spending review. It is about the abroad Military Financing fund, from which U.S. funds are transferred, among others, to the modernization of the Polish army. – The decree of president Donald Trump to suspend financing of various types of support programmes, modernization and transformation do not include Poland. Thank you very much for your decision on this matter," said the Minister of Defence. As he stressed, this is evidence of very good contacts with Washington.
Pete Hegseth besides spoke about the unwavering ties of the USA to Poland. “We came here to strengthen those words,” he said. He stressed that it is no coincidence that his first European bilateral visit is taking place in Poland. This symbolism is very meaningful. We see Poland as a model ally on the European continent, who wants to invest not only in his defence, but besides in the defence of the full continent," said the head of the Pentagon.
He assured that Polish-American relations were strong. – Poland is simply a strategic, front partner on the east flank of NATO. A proven ally, not only in words, but besides in deeds," Hegseth said. – There is no truer friend and a more hard opponent than a Polish soldier. We were together in Iraq, Afghanistan – he reminded us. “We know that Poland can always be counted on”, he added.
He besides one more time praised our country for its defence spending, which this year was planned at 4.7% of GDP.
In answering questions from journalists, the U.S. Defence Secretary reiterated that it is not realistic to reconstruct Ukraine's borders before 2014. At the same time he warned: – How these boundaries will look, we will see. any of the talks will be attended by our president, Volodymyr Zelenski, Vladimir Putin. Europe will most likely besides be active in this discussion," he said.
Hegseth besides referred to the question of possibly sending US soldiers to Ukraine after the conflict ended. I don't think president Trump would want that. Europeans should solve this and there will be no American soldiers in Ukraine," said the US Secretary of Defense. He besides reiterated that Ukraine's membership of NATO is not a substance taken into account during the peace negotiations between Kiev and Moscow.
In the afternoon, the Pentagon chief met with president Andrzej Duda. The military superior reported that the conversation was long and in private. He besides informed that a peculiar U.S. envoy for Ukraine would be coming to Poland soon.
The president besides referred to the expectations of a fresh administration in the US. “We will support president Donald Trump’s policy so that a decision will besides be taken in NATO to increase the minimum threshold for defence spending,” declared Andrzej Duda.
