Poland firmly responds to US proposal to send troops to Ukraine
Photo: Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (Getty Images)
Poland’s Ministry of Defense has firmly rejected the US proposal to send Polish troops to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping mission. The country will continue to play its role in providing logistics support for aid to the Ukrainian state, PAP reports.
"Poland is not sending and does not plan to send its soldiers as part of any potential peacekeeping force to Ukraine; no talks on this matter are taking place," said Polish Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk in a comment to PAP.
Tomczyk was responding to a recent statement by US special envoy General Keith Kellogg, who proposed deploying a contingent from four European countries — including Poland — in Ukraine.
The deputy minister emphasized that "Poland’s position remains unchanged" regarding the deployment of troops to Ukraine as part of a potential peacekeeping force.
"Poland has a different role — it will support any potential peacekeeping mission from its own territory by providing the hub in Rzeszów and logistics to support the mission," he stated.
Allies value Poland’s role in the Coalition of the Willing
Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz also firmly ruled out the participation of Polish soldiers in a peacekeeping mission.
"From the very beginning, we have indicated our role as a center for providing logistical and infrastructure support for such a mission. Without us, it cannot be carried out," he added.
According to Kosiniak-Kamysz, Poland’s allies, who meet at various levels as part of the Coalition of the Willing to support Ukraine, "fully understand the role Poland is meant to play."
"This role has been recognized and appreciated by our allies," the defense minister emphasized.
However, he does not view the US proposal as an attempt to pressure Poland into supporting the peacekeeping mission.
Proposal to deploy troops to Ukraine
US special envoy Keith Kellogg recently stated that the United States is actively discussing with several countries the possibility of deploying a peacekeeping contingent in Ukraine.
He noted that the plan involves the creation of a "resilience force" consisting of British, French, German, and Polish troops. These forces would be stationed west of the Dnipro River, ensuring their safety beyond the reach of Russian strikes.
