Today, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken arrived in Warsaw after visiting Kyiv. He met with Polish President Andrzej Duda, Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski. Secretary Blinken and Minister Sikorski discussed deepening U.S.-Polish bilateral relations, including civil-nuclear partnerships and mutual support for Ukraine’s defence against the Russian invasion. During a joint conference with Blinken, Sikorski emphasised that relations between Poland and the United States are at the “highest level of intensity in history”, and both countries perceive threats similarly. He expressed hope that Poland and the United States will continue to support Kyiv through this administration and the next one to contribute to ending the war as soon as possible while considering Ukraine’s interests. Sikorski noted that Poland and the US are key security partners and highlighted the increasing economic partnership between the two countries.
“We are key partners for each other in the area of security. The American military presence in Poland – which many previous governments have been struggling to achieve – including permanent deployment of the American troops, increases Poland’s security,” emphasised the head of Polish diplomacy.
“We are modernising the Polish army. This is possible thanks to the purchases made from the U.S. Let me just mention F-16, F-35s, Apaches, Abrams, HIMARS, and Patriot systems,” he noted.
“Our political collaboration is getting closer and closer. At the same time, the U.S. is becoming an even greater partner for Poland in other areas. Our economic relations are blooming. Let me mention areas such as energy, trade, or technology,” Sikorski added.
Secretary Blinken stated that the United States is co-sharing Poland’s defence spending, providing $11 billion in loans to help Poland modernise its military with F35 fighters, Apache helicopters, and Patriot anti-missile systems.
“These investments are good for Poland’s security. They’re good for NATO’s capabilities. They’re good for the United States – for our security, for our industry, and for our jobs,” said the American Secretary of State.
He emphasised the importance of collaborating with Poland in the area of energy security. He mentioned that he had discussed with Minister Sikorski about how the United States can continue to support Polish energy security.
“I also want to underscore the very important collaboration we have when it comes to energy security. Since February of ’22, Poland has made very important strides when it comes to increasing its own energy security. We see this in the context of extraordinary strides across Europe – moving away from dependence on Russian energy and developing different sources and self-sufficiency. The foreign minister and I discussed ways that the United States can further support Poland’s transition away from Russian energy by facilitating the production of safe, clean, and reliable nuclear energy.”
Support Ukraine’s defence
Minister Sikorski said he believes that Polish-US collaboration to support Kyiv will continue until the end of the current administration and by the next administration.
“I hope that it will contribute to the quickest possible end of the Russian aggression, taking into account and with due regard of raison d’être of Ukraine, which has been attacked,” he noted.
He emphasised that Poland remains a strong advocate of increasing the pressure on the Russian regime to force it to end the conflict against Ukraine.
“From the very beginning, we were a front runner when it comes to providing military and other kinds of assistance. As the West, we shall continue supplying Ukraine with advanced air defence and antimissiles defence systems. We shall also lift the ban on using long-range weapons. We are sure that the economic sanctions are bringing the expected effect, and we hope that more intense activities will be taken with regard to seizing frozen Russian assets”.
The Secretary reiterated that the United States stands united with Poland as NATO Allies in support of Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s aggression.
“Poland has been an absolutely essential partner to Ukraine from the moment that Putin reinvaded the country in 2022. It’s provided $4 billion in security assistance to Ukraine – tanks, aircraft, air defence, helicopters. It’s one of 26 countries that have now signed bilateral security agreements with Ukraine. These agreements, long-term commitments to help Ukraine build its deterrent and defence capacity, are critical not just in the immediate, but critical over time to make sure that Ukraine for many years has the capacity to defend itself” said Blinken.
“As many of you know and as you see every time we go into Ukraine,” added Secretary Blinken, Poland “is also the key hub for getting assistance to Ukraine and to the Ukrainian people. More than 80% of all security and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine is flowing through Poland. And of course, Poland continues to host some one million Ukrainian refugees. This is a remarkable display of generosity and solidarity in a time when it’s most needed”.
