Polish minister defends Patriot missile transfer to Ukraine

Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz has strongly defended the government's decision to transfer Patriot interceptor missiles to Ukraine, arguing that military assistance to Kyiv is firmly in Poland's national interest.

Speaking to TVN24, Kosiniak-Kamysz dismissed criticism from allies of President Karol Nawrocki and opposition politicians, who have condemned the government's decision to provide Ukraine with several missiles for its Patriot air defence systems.

The criticism intensified after Marcin Przydacz, head of the International Policy Bureau of the Polish President's Office, said on July 9 that Deputy Defence Minister Cezary Tomczyk had played a key role in approving the transfer.

"Is this treason or simply stupidity?" Przydacz asked.

Responding to the remarks, Kosiniak-Kamysz stressed that supporting Ukraine serves Poland's own security interests and vowed to stand by the government's decision.

"I will defend this decision, which was made by me and the government. I ask Minister Przydacz about this nonsense he is talking about – is it treason or stupidity? NATO stated yesterday that we must all support Ukraine. Ukraine's defeat in the war with Russia would be the worst possible scenario for us," the minister said.

Emphasising the strategic importance of strengthening Ukraine's air defences, Kosiniak-Kamysz added:

"I would rather our Patriot missiles intercepted Russian missiles over Kyiv than over Warsaw. Those who criticise Poland's support for Ukraine have lost their minds. It makes my blood boil."

The debate follows claims made on July 4 by Krzysztof Bosak, co-leader of Poland's far-right, anti-Ukrainian Confederation party and Deputy Marshal of the Sejm, who alleged that the government had secretly transferred Patriot interceptor missiles to Ukraine in March.

In response to the allegations, Kosiniak-Kamysz announced that he had ordered the declassification of information on Poland's military assistance to Ukraine provided since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.

By Vafa Guliyeva