Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki believes Western European nations could accelerate and widen their arms support to Ukraine. In a conversation with the New York Times, he emphasized that Warsaw is hopeful the United States might help persuade South Korea to supply artillery ammunition to Kyiv. Morawiecki underscored that the war in Ukraine already dominates much of his time and the government’s agenda, yet he argued that the outcome today matters for the entire world order.
He stated a clear stance: he wants Ukraine to prevail. His reasoning rests on a grim scenario—if Ukraine were conquered, it would signal a dramatic shift in global power dynamics. Morawiecki warned that success by Russia in displacing a smaller nation could set a precedent for future aggression, potentially inviting destabilizing moves elsewhere.
Morawiecki framed this as a pivotal moment in modern history, stressing the high stakes involved for international security and the rules that guide state conduct on the world stage.
The West can do more
The prime minister noted that while regional partners like Poland grasp the seriousness of the moment, Western European governments could step up their efforts to assist Ukraine more rapidly and with greater scale. He described these as wealthy countries that still have room to escalate support in line with the needs on the ground.
Attention then turned to the question of 155mm artillery ammunition from South Korea. Leaked U.S. intelligence documents had suggested residents of Seoul might hesitate to supply weapons, while U.S. pressure mounted. Poland indicated it would be involved in any potential transaction, highlighting the regional and international coordination at stake.
Morawiecki clarified that he had engaged with South Korean authorities on the matter and suggested that securing such ammunition could hinge on the involvement of the United States administration. He warned that without presidential intervention, and perhaps a broader security guarantee, a successful transfer from Seoul might face obstacles. Nevertheless, he stressed that any shipment would only proceed with Seoul’s full consent and oversight.
His comments came amid a broader strategic conversation about the balance of power. South Korea reportedly holds a substantial stockpile of artillery shells, and its decisions directly influence the dynamics of support for Ukraine as Russia maintains a larger reserve and sustains higher firing rates at present.
The TongA Ilbo, a South Korean newspaper, reported that Washington and Seoul had agreed earlier in the year to a plan that could reserve enough ammunition for U.S. needs as a precondition for enabling Kyiv’s access to additional shells. The two governments have not issued formal responses to Morawiecki’s remarks, leaving open questions about next steps and timelines.
Ultimately, Morawiecki indicated that he would not move forward with arms transfers without the explicit consent of Seoul, underscoring the importance of allied unity and careful diplomacy in handling sensitive weapons shipments.
He concluded with a pragmatic note: the call for higher-level U.S. involvement is not about pressuring allies, but about ensuring that strategic decisions are synchronized among key partners to maximize defense outcomes for Ukraine while preserving broader regional stability and deterrence against escalation.
Attribution: This synthesis reflects reporting around the remarks and context reported by wPolityce and related outlets, compiled to provide a coherent view of the discussion and its implications for regional security and international diplomacy.