Poland's defence minister: Supporting Ukraine serves Poland's national interest

Poland's Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz told lawmakers during debates in the Sejm that his country's support for Ukraine stems from a direct national interest, as it helps stop Russian missiles and drones before they reach the European Union's border.

The minister noted that missiles and drones are already falling just a kilometre from the Polish border. He argued that if Ukraine lacked sufficient air defence systems and ammunition to shoot down these drones, most of them would fly through Ukraine and reach Poland instead.

"The national interest is to support Ukraine, which is fighting so that missiles are intercepted there and do not reach Poland," Kosiniak-Kamysz said.

Background

The statement follows a series of incidents near the Polish-Ukrainian border. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk earlier reported that on the afternoon of September 17, a Russian attack drone crashed near the Polish border in the Volyn region. Lieutenant Colonel Jacek Goryszewski, spokesman for the Polish Armed Forces Operational Command, confirmed that a drone most likely fell or was shot down about 4 kilometres from the Polish-Ukrainian border.

Kosiniak-Kamysz had earlier stated that Poland is stepping up its air force activity in response to Russian provocations in the region.