Polish minister slams Ukraine’s ‘short memory’ 

Defense chief Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz has said the military aid for Kiev should not jeopardize the country’s own security

Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz has criticized Kiev for having a “short memory,” responding to Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky’s claims that Warsaw is not doing enough to assist Kiev in its conflict with Russia. 

Zelensky slammed the countries of NATO in October, specifically targeting Poland for not providing the promised MiG fighter jets and for refusing to intercept Russian missiles over western Ukraine.

Polish officials argued that the warplanes were required for the country’s own defense, while accusing Zelensky of trying to “drag Poland into the war with Russia.”

In an interview with local TVN24 on Thursday, Kosiniak-Kamysz said he discussed the matter with NATO chief Mark Rutte, stressing “how much Poland has already done and how greatly it has helped Ukraine.”

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“This is important in the context of President Zelensky’s remarks, which carried a tone suggesting that Poland is not doing everything it can,” he said, adding that the Ukrainians seem to have a “short memory” when it comes to Poland’s contribution to Kiev’s war efforts. 

“You cannot say that Poland is not doing everything possible. Poland has done and continues to do everything possible,” he argued. 

The defense chief, however, noted that the aid can only be provided within “certain limits” and should not go against the country’s national interests. 

“The limit of aid for Ukraine is Poland’s security. If transferring any equipment would endanger the security of the Polish state, I simply will not do it. And there is no force that will compel me,” he stated, explaining that Poland has its own defense strategy and “raison d’état” when it comes to Kiev’s attempts to drag other countries into a direct confrontation with Russia. 

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Warsaw has been one of Ukraine’s top backers, supplying armored vehicles, artillery systems, and “the maximum number” of MiG-29 jets. The decision to hold on to the remaining fleet is a result of NATO’s delay in replacing them with F-35 fighter jets, which are not due to arrive until at least 2026. 

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski previously said that Warsaw “has done more for Ukraine than any other country,” and that the issue of intercepting Russian missiles should be discussed with NATO members. 

Moscow has warned against Western involvement in the conflict, saying that shooting down Russian missiles by Polish air defenses would result in an “adequate and quite specific” response.