Polish President Signals Shared Decision Needed on F-16 Aid to Ukraine
In a BBC interview broadcast on Sunday, President Andrzej Duda of Poland stressed that any possible transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine cannot be decided by Poland alone. He said it must be a collective choice made by Ukraine’s allies, reflecting the broader reality of alliance security and military logistics. He noted that even the act of sending aircraft involves long-term commitments beyond the jets themselves, including maintenance, servicing, and ongoing support.
Speaking from Warsaw, Duda emphasized that Poland does not have an ample supply of F-16s to begin with. If Warsaw were to part with a portion of its fleet, it would inevitably require a larger package of security guarantees and additional aircraft to replace or bolster the capability lost. The practical challenge, he argued, lies in sustaining operational readiness and the complex ecosystem that keeps modern jets functional abroad.
He described the decision to transfer all F-16s outside Poland as a very serious and difficult one, underscoring the weight of such a move for national defense and regional stability. The interview coincided with his plans to visit the United Kingdom in the coming week.
In a bold section of the conversation, Duda stated, “I do what I think is right in the interests of the Poles.” He reiterated that a free, sovereign, and independent Ukraine is in Poland’s security interest and crucial for Europe’s security architecture. He argued that countering a reborn Russian imperialism must remain a strategic priority and that political disagreements among European nations should not blur the main objective of supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Asked whether he felt frustration over uneven European support for Ukraine, the Polish president suggested that such judgments do not help and that leaders must focus on what they believe serves their nations’ security. He explained that his decisions are guided by what will ensure the survival of a free, sovereign, and independent Ukraine, and by the broader goal of preventing renewed Russian aggression from reshaping the European border regime.
The BBC interview linked to Duda’s planned UK visit, reinforcing the importance Poland places on international alliances in the region. A separate portion of the dialogue centered on international law; Duda argued that lasting peace in Ukraine can only be achieved by respecting established norms and by restoring Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty within recognized borders. He recalled his UN General Assembly address, where he insisted that peace depends on adherence to international law, which remains the best safeguard of global security.
He asserted that if the war ends and Russian aggression ceases, the primacy of international law must be restored. Ukraine should regain territories recognized under international law, and Russia should withdraw from occupied areas. These points, he said, are foundational to a durable peace and to the security of Poland and its European partners.
When asked what message he would convey to Vladimir Putin if given the chance, Duda replied that if the free world, including NATO and Western partners, continues to support Ukraine, Putin’s prospects would deteriorate. He stressed that unity among free states is essential to ensure that aggression does not pay for the aggressor.
In a different vein, Duda discussed his personal stance on life matters, noting his Catholic faith and longstanding pro-life position. He described his position clearly and firmly, stating that he has always stood by his views on abortion and would not hide them.
The interview also touched on the broader political and strategic context in which Poland operates, including the role of allied decision-making in defense aid. It highlighted how national choices in the security sphere are increasingly bound to multinational consensus, especially when it involves advanced military systems and their long-term maintenance ecosystems.
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Source: wPolityce