In the context of expanding tensions in Ukraine and possible safety of negotiated peace by sending an global contingent of peacekeeping forces, Poland should focus on logistics support and air patrols, alternatively of sending large land formations. This was the opinion expressed by Gen. Stanisław Koziej, erstwhile head of the National safety Bureau (BBN). His words are crucial due to the fact that they indicate the request for Poland to participate in the peace mission, but at the same time emphasize the request to be careful and consider our own strategical interests.
In fresh days, following statements from representatives of the US authorities on future peace in Ukraine, the debate on possible safety of negotiated peace in European countries has intensified by sending an global contingent of peace forces to Ukraine. Soldiers of European states – without the US – would be included in this quota. The UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his willingness to engage in specified a project. France, Germany, Denmark and Spain considered that the discussion on sending troops was premature. Politicians stress that it is impossible to talk about sending troops before concluding a peace agreement in Ukraine.
Gen. Koziej pointed out that the mission in Ukraine could be organised in 4 possible formats – under the aegis of the United Nations, NATO, the European Union, or a peculiar coalition of states. From these options, the UN mission and the coalition of states would be, in the opinion of the General, the least effective, inter alia due to the Russian veto law in the UN safety Council. According to the General, it would make the most sense to convince the US – despite president Donald Trump’s other opinion – to organize a mission under the aegis of NATO – even if the American soldiers were not to engage in the mission.
Poland should not send large land formations
In this situation Poland should not send thousands of soldiers from linear units to the peace mission. However, as the gene emphasized. Koziej, Poland should clearly signal that it is ready to support this mission, to safe it. If somewhere behind Dnieprem will be stationed an global contingent, then it must be kept, supplied, rotated soldiers – it will all go through Poland. So this making our territory available as a hub for this mission, securing all the functions associated with it – it should, of course, be a form of our participation in this mission.
Moreover, as the gene added. Koziej, Poland could mark its presence on a peace mission by supporting the contingent with crucial capabilities which, however, do not require the sending of thousands of soldiers abroad. This, as he pointed out, was the chance to affect the Polish Air Force in patrolling the space over Ukraine, participation of Polish bomb squads or logistics in support of the mission, as well as, where possible, protecting the territory of Ukrainian sky with Polish rocket defence systems.
engagement of the Polish state and Polish companies in post-war reconstruction of Ukraine
Gen. Koziej emphasized that even after the end of the fighting, Polish support – in the form of training or supplies – for the Ukrainian army should not cease, so that it retains the ability to fight. He besides pointed out the question of the engagement of the Polish state and Polish companies in post-war reconstruction Ukraine to make the economical possible of both countries. We shouldn't miss that. We wasted this chance as a consequence of our commitment to Iraq; at the time we could not, economically, even politically, consummate our military commitment. Here we should not make specified a mistake – he warned Gen. Koziej.
In the context of the above words, it is worth noting that Poland should usage its capabilities and resources to support the peace mission in Ukraine, but at the same time it should be careful and not exposure itself to unnecessary risks. This is crucial due to the fact that in a situation like this, Poland should be an ally of Ukraine, but it should besides think about its own interests.
It is worth to add that according to NATO data, in 2022 Poland spent about 2.3% of its GDP on the military, which is 1 of the highest indicators in Europe. Moreover, as the Institute of strategical Studies emphasises, Poland should increase its defence spending to 3% of GDP in order to liberalise its defence capacity.
Finally, as regards the number of Polish soldiers who could participate in the peace mission in Ukraine, it is hard to give a circumstantial number. However, according to MON, in 2022 the Polish army had about 64,000 soldiers. Of this, about 20,000 soldiers service in the Air Force, about 15,000 in the Navy, and about 25,000 in the Land Forces.
Of course, in this situation Poland should be ready to support the peace mission in Ukraine, but at the same time it should think about its own interests and security. This is crucial due to the fact that in a situation like this, Poland should be an ally of Ukraine, but it should besides be careful and not exposure itself to unnecessary risks.
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Poland in the function of logistics support and air patrols in Ukraine
