FM: Poland to aid Ukraine logistically but rules out sending troops

Poland will continue to offer logistical support to Ukraine but will not send troops for peacekeeping duties, the country’s Foreign Minister, Radoslaw Sikorski said.

Speaking in an interview with Japanese media, Sikorski outlined Poland's role in aiding Ukraine should a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia be reached, while reaffirming his country’s commitment to NATO’s eastern flank, Caliber.Az reports.

Sikorski’s comments came in response to remarks by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who earlier suggested that at least 200,000 peacekeepers from European nations would be necessary to ensure Ukraine's security in the event of a ceasefire with Russia. Countries such as Britain and France are considering the possibility of deploying peacekeepers to the region.

"Our first duty to NATO is to maintain the eastern flank, which is to say, secure the Polish border, on the border with Russia and Belarus," Sikorski stated, clarifying Poland’s position on military involvement.

Although Poland has ruled out sending troops, Sikorski emphasized that Poland will continue to act as a logistical hub for any countries willing to send forces to Ukraine. This support would include facilitating troop deployments through airfields and railways in Poland.

Addressing the broader situation, Sikorski acknowledged the challenges of reaching a ceasefire agreement. "Negotiations will be much harder than some people think, and it may be a while yet before Putin decides to stop the aggression," he cautioned.

Despite these complexities, Sikorski reaffirmed Poland's ongoing commitment to supporting Ukraine, stating, "So we should continue doing what we've been doing, supporting Ukraine with finances, with equipment, with humanitarian assistance."

By Vafa Guliyeva