Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked NATO for support during a rally in Warsaw, stepping closer to a formal alliance as Finland’s accession became official. Poland stood firmly beside Kyiv in its goal to join the alliance. Zelensky spoke at Castle Square, with high flags of Ukraine and Poland guiding the scene. He declared that Russia would be held accountable for war crimes and that the joint effort would bring freedom and a shared history closer together.
Polish President Andrzej Duda echoed the urgency, saying support would include supplying tanks, aircraft, and howitzers to Ukraine. He spoke to a large crowd under tight security, signaling Poland’s readiness to back Kyiv while seeking synchronized action with allies.
If the Madrid summit last year opened the path for Finland, the Vilnius meeting next July is expected to advance Ukraine’s security and potential membership steps. Duda noted in front of the media after meeting Zelensky that Poland had already transferred eight units to Ukraine as a gesture of solidarity. Warsaw also signaled willingness to provide MiG-29 fighters, potentially exchanging them for newer aircraft from allies, depending on a collective decision from partners. The plan would involve a limited swap that does not imply direct NATO pilot involvement in fighting, a stance supported by Washington and several European capitals.
According to Duda, the first move in Vilnius should be to secure Ukraine’s security guarantees, strengthen its military capacity, and protect the civilian population. This would serve as a stepping stone toward closer alignment with the Alliance.
strongest ally
Zelensky saw Poland as a steadfast partner within both the European Union and NATO, a role that many in the region increasingly recognize as pivotal for Ukraine’s future. The Baltic states Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia share this view, though their positions differ in emphasis from Poland’s more assertive stance.
Zelensky’s visit marked his first official stop after several technical sessions. The event followed a highly emotional moment at Castle Square, where the Ukrainian leader addressed a crowd under heightened security measures, second only to the security for the presence of the U.S. president. It symbolized unity and support for Ukrainians who fled the conflict and sought sanctuary in Poland.
Poland has welcomed more refugees than any other EU member since the start of the Russian invasion in 2022. More than 10 million Ukrainians have entered Poland, with 1.5 million staying. Others moved on to other member states, while around a million Ukrainians remaining in Poland have access to work permits and benefits.
Poland’s reception has been consistently generous, even as Brussels pressures for redistribution of refugees has faced resistance. The difference goes beyond culture and religion. The Polish government has shown resistance to broader refugee intake, a stance shaped by domestic concerns and political priorities.
Millions of Ukrainians
Before the conflict, approximately one million people of Ukrainian background lived in Poland. Their families benefited from relatively straightforward integration and work opportunities, a contrast to longer asylum processes elsewhere. This reality influenced the way supports and subsidies were distributed during the early months of the war.
Over time, the initial wave of solidarity gave way to more measured policy decisions. Ukraine’s grain exports, cheaper than those produced locally, sparked protests among Polish farmers. Zelensky and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki pledged to address these concerns at their meeting, while military and logistical aid from Warsaw to Kyiv continued.
Germany and other partners faced pressure to grant approval for certain defense transfers. Berlin’s decision on Leopard II tanks and MiG-29 aircraft became a focal point in the broader discussion of military assistance to Ukraine, with Poland urging a clear European stance while avoiding unilateral actions that could trigger wider escalation.