On September the 8th the head of Ministry of National Defence, Mariusz Błaszczak took part in Ukraine Defense Consultative Group conference. The meeting was chaired by Secretary of Defense of United States, Lloyd Austin, and it gathered ministers of defense and officials of approximately 40 countries participating in this initiative. 

In Ramstein Air Base Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defence of Poland, Mariusz Błaszczak had also a separate meeting with Secretary of Defence of United States, Lloyd Austin. They discusssed aspects of bilateral military cooperation between our two countries, including technical modernization of Polish Army, as well as further support for Ukraine.

„We have sent request for proposal of 96 Apache attack helicopters. 18th Mechanised Division should have the highest priority when we obtain these machines. Not all of the aircrafts will end up there, but it is an obvious choice since it is the 18th Division which will be equipped with Abrams tanks and these are most effective when they work together with Apaches. Their joint firepower is an enormous deterrence capability , and our goal is to deter enemy. The goal is for the Polish Armed Forces to have such strength as to make any enemy afraid to even consider an attack on  Poland. We have a wide variety of solutions when it comes to providing our Armed Forces with new helicopters. Mainly, we order them from Polish manufacturers such as PZL Świdnik and PZL Mielec, but since attack US-made Apache helicopters are globally recognized brand and are considered to be the best we would love to see them in Polish Armed Forces. What had the biggest impact that we based our choice on? The fact that they are working best combined with Abrams’. Combined, they are a dam that will prevent any flood”

– confessed Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Mariusz Błaszczak after the meeting.

The most recent Ukraine Defense Consultative Group conference was dedicated to current situation in Ukraine, necessary supplies’ scale for Ukrainian Army, and long-term plans to support our neighbors, through – among others – development a training program for their Armed Forces. During panel discussions participants offered their updates and assessments of current state of Russian offensive and Ukrainian defense, as well as expected growth of arms industry  for the sake of securing  freedom of Ukraine and Europe.

„In Ramstein Air Base, located on German territory, took place another NATO countries and like-minded entities meeting. Its formula is  a beneficial and effective factor,  highly impacting capability of coordination of our nations efforts to offer Ukraine the best possible aid. First session was all about present military situation of Ukrainian Army. Minister Reznikow, followed by Ukrainian commanders, offered a brief on  latest events there. Second session covered matter of arms industry. I outlined Polish armament industry offers, in particular “Krab” self-propelled howitzers. The offer is directed at countries which by ordering Krabs, in aid of Ukraine, may well invest in the global brighter future. Thus obtained funds  are required to enhance manufacture capabilities of Huta Stalowa Wola and whole PGZ Group. While these capabilities grow every year owing to such orders,  there is still room for further improvement. Last session addressed NATO countries’ cooperation regarding training Ukrainian troops. Both NATO and European Union have prepared some solutions. For instance, minesweepers are extremely busy  demining Ukraine, and training organized in NATO and EU countries could be a mean to better prepare them for their work and make it more efficient"

- stated Deputy Prime Minister, Mariusz Błaszczak.

The head of Polish Ministry of National Defence underlined that while Ukrainian Army commenced counter-offensive it needs all the more continuous supply and support from other countries.

„Ukrainians are fighting back, they are no longer in defense, they constantly reclaim occupied territories. But, frankly speaking, it is a long-term process which demands all the aid free world can give. That is a reason we are meeting here today”

– he said.

Ukraine Defence Contact Group was established by United States in March in Ramstein Air Base in response to Russian invasion of Ukraine. Works and discussions of the Group were supplemented by international donors conference in Copenhagen.

Poland remains one of the most active donors of Ukraine, both in civilian and military dimensions. Polish supplies thus far are estimated at 1,7 billion dollars.

Polish support to Ukraine grows steadily since Russian aggression in 2014. As an expression of solidarity with our neighbors we provide them with military support using Polish Armed Forces’ resources. Poland also widely involved itself in humanitarian aid to numerous Ukrainian refugees, who fled from war. Polish Armed Forces were actively taking part in projects aimed at transformation of Ukrainian security sector in bilateral and multilateral dimensions (on strategic, operational and tactical level).

Significant point of Polish support to Ukraine was establishing the Command of LITPOLUKRBRIG in Lublin, named after Grand Hetman Konstanty Ostrogski. It is the only unit where Ukrainians join forces with NATO member countries on a daily basis. Ukrainian officers who were appointed to serve in LITPOLUKRBRIG carry out tasks up to the NATO procedures and standards, what then, upon their return home, they actively use these skills and experiences , also to  contribute to the  growth of interoperability between Ukrainian and NATO forces. LITPOLUKRBRIG also conducts commands’ training of Ukrainian units.