Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz welcomed the American Defense Minister Pete Hegseth in Poland as part of his first official bilateral visit to Europe. Both parties confirmed the power of the Polish-American alliance and discussed deepening cooperation in the field of defense, informs Warsaw newsletter TASR.
The US minister stressed that the choice of Poland for the first bilateral visit was not accidental. “We perceive Poland as a US model ally in Europe. He is a model ally not only in words but also in acts, “Hegseth said.
Kosiniak-Kamysz appreciated that despite cuts in expenditure Poland will not be excluded from US funds to support the modernization of the army. According to him, the alliance of Poland and the US was never so strong. “Poland is a country that means a threat. We know how important safety and peace is, “he said, reminding that freedom, peace and security require power that is not possible without investment.
Hegseth has highlighted Polish defense and support for US soldiers working in the country. He added that there are almost 8,000 American soldiers in Poland who praise the acceptance and cooperation with the Polish armed forces.
Ministers agreed on the need to strengthen cooperation
Both ministers agreed on the need to strengthen cooperation in the defense industry. They discussed the production of ammunition and the creation of joint ventures, while Poland has the ambition to become the center of infrastructure and service for defense technologies. “Our strategy is to be a transatlantic bridge that connects the US and Europe,” said the Polish politician.
Hegseth also commented on the question of a possible reduction in the number of US soldiers in Europe as part of the agreement with Russia. He stressed that the US is determined to support NATO and the US presence in Europe is important to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin, but European countries have to invest more in their own defense. “You cannot assume that the American presence on the continent will take place forever,” he said, saying that the US has to deal with security crises elsewhere in the world.
When asked about the restoration of the borders of Ukraine before 2014, Hegseth responded that it was important to bring realism into the discussion, and marked it together with the presence of US soldiers in its territory as unlikely. At the same time, he stressed that the US aim is to end the conflict and stop the fighting.
“Putin declares himself as a winner no matter anything, but thanks to the hero of the Ukrainians, he managed to prevent him from what he wanted to achieve,” Hegseth said. The minister does not think Russia will come out of peace agreement if the answer is aware of the threats and the threats and Collective ability to deter him.
His Polish departmental colleague added that the only defense against threats is the hard power of the army and society. “Today is time to wake those who have slept in the illusion of a peaceful world for the past 30 years,” he concluded.
Hegseth also met with Polish President Andrzej Duda and visited an air base in Powidz in the west of Poland.
