Poland vows support for Lithuania evacuation in case of attack

Poland is prepared to assist Lithuania with the evacuation of civilians in the event of a possible Russian attack, Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said.

Speaking to RMF FM, Kosiniak-Kamysz said contingency plans for accommodating evacuees were being developed at the municipal, county, regional and national levels. 

The minister did not disclose specific locations that could be used to accommodate evacuated civilians, but stressed that “Poles will help Lithuania.”

Kosiniak-Kamysz also said Poland would seek the activation of Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty in the event of an attack on Lithuania, Latvia or Estonia and would fulfill its obligations as a NATO ally.

He noted that Poland had gained experience in receiving large numbers of refugees following the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine, when around 3 million Ukrainians arrived in the country.

According to the minister, assisting civilians in such circumstances is not only a legal obligation but also an expression of solidarity among allies.

By Vafa Guliyeva