Poland’s Deputy PM sees Ukrainian assistance as key in European joint air defence shield construction
The cooperation with Ukraine is crucial in the construction of a European joint air defence shield, Poland's Deputy Prime Minister and national defence minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz told reporters on the sidelines of Warsaw Security Forum.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy declared on Monday during an online speech at the Warsaw Security Forum that Ukraine would like to build a joint air defence shield with its European partners to protect against threats from Russia.
Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz, on the sidelines of the Warsaw Security Forum, pointed out that cooperation with Ukraine in the construction of an anti-drone barrier is crucial. As he noted, this barrier should be financed by the European Union.
"I believe that such a programme to build a wall, an anti-drone barrier, should be financed by the European Union. It is in the interest of all of us, and we must learn from Ukraine's experience. Ukraine has the most experience in the drone industry, but also in the impact and destruction of drones," Kosiniak-Kamysz told reporters.
"That is why I signed an agreement with Ukrainian Prime Minister Shmyhal to train our soldiers so that they can acquire the skills we need to benefit from and learn from those who have tested this technology and continue to test it on a daily basis. So, this is definitely a step in the right direction—cooperation with Ukraine on the construction of an anti-drone barrier is crucial," he added.
Poland's defence minister announced that the issue of the anti-drone barrier will be discussed on Monday during a meeting with the Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius.
"This must be done along the entire length of the eastern border of the European Union and NATO. If it was only one country, it would simply be ineffective, because the others would remain vulnerable and would also be a threat to all of us," he pointed out.
"Hence, I am in favour of a joint response. I am in favour of the European Union programme not only covering loans but also grants. I told this to Commissioner Kubilius," he added.
The Warsaw Security Forum is organised by the Casimir Pulaski Foundation, with the participation of, among others, Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk. It is an annual international event held in Warsaw, which brings together politicians, security experts, military personnel, diplomats and representatives of international organisations.
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