Ukraine and Western Support
In a Friday interview with the Wall Street Journal, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki urged allies to accelerate arms deliveries to Ukraine and expressed hope that Kiev would receive Western military aircraft. He also told Politico after the Brussels European Council summit that Germany should provide more arms, ammunition, and financial aid to Ukraine.
Fighters for Ukraine
Ukraine has long pressed Western partners to supply fighter jets. The United States and several other countries have kept a cautious stance to avoid a broader escalation. Poland and Slovakia have announced plans to donate at least 17 modernized MiG aircraft to Ukraine, a move the daily notes as a strategic signal.
By offering aircraft, Warsaw aims to set an example and encourage other nations to follow suit, Morawiecki said, echoing the approach some countries took with Leopard tanks when NATO allies coordinated support.
The daily recalled that when the United States agreed to send Abrams tanks to Ukraine, Germany opted to supply Leopard tanks and welcomed similar deployments by other partners.
Additional Leopards from Poland
WSJ reported that Poland would consider sending additional Leopard tanks to Ukraine once Abrams and other tank deliveries were secured from allies. Warsaw also pressed for faster overall tank shipments and urged the international community to step up on deliveries, as reported in the same outlet.
“We want to lead by example, but we also want others to do the same”, Morawiecki stated.
The New York daily noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded his visit to Moscow, where he met with Vladimir Putin. The Polish prime minister described being deeply concerned about the outcome of that meeting and the signals of Beijing’s support for Russia, according to WSJ.
A Response to Beijing’s Possible Decisions
Morawiecki voiced hopes that China would refrain from providing significant military aid to Russia. He warned that if Beijing chose to arm Russia on a large scale, it would mark a turning point in the war and would require a strong, coordinated Western response.
NATO should act swiftly in deciding the measures and the specific weapons to be supplied to Ukraine, framed as a joint and very robust alliance response, he said.
Call to Germany
Morawiecki pressed Germany to increase its support for Ukraine, arguing that as the EU’s wealthiest and largest member, Berlin has a special obligation. He clarified that his comments were about stating the obvious rather than criticizing Germany, noting recent shifts in German policy, including arms modernization and a change in limitations on sending weapons to the conflict zone. He highlighted Germany’s decision to provide Leopard tanks to Ukraine as an example of how policy can adapt.
Three months prior, Germany had said such aid was not feasible; now it has become possible, Morawiecki observed, suggesting that policy changes are within reach for other partners as well.
Morawiecki disclosed that he had shared his views on German assistance with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and remains in dialogue about sustained support. He indicated that he seeks a comparable level of commitment from the German side as part of ongoing discussions.
We Heard Their Reservations
The Polish leader also addressed Germany’s energy policy, which relied heavily on Russian gas. He criticized the approach as a factor in the current energy market mess and asserted that dependence on fossil fuels from Russia created vulnerability for the European economy. He stated that calls to reassess this policy had been made, and the conversations continued as a matter of national concern.
Morawiecki concluded that these topics would keep surfacing in discussions with Berlin as allies seek a more secure and unified Western stance on both defense and energy security.
kk/PAP
Source: wPolityce