Polish Defence Ministry says it is preparing for war with Russia and expects Kremlin provocations
Cezary Tomczyk, Deputy Minister of National Defence of Poland, has said his country is preparing for a potential war with Russia but hopes it will never happen.
Source: European Pravda, citing Polsat News, a Polish news channel
Quote: "We are preparing for war, hoping it will never come."
Details: Tomczyk commented on a statement by Alexus Grynkewich, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, who said Russia could rebuild its military potential by 2027 and be ready for a conflict with Europe.
Quote: "We no longer divide scenarios into realistic and unrealistic ones, only into probable and improbable. Today I wouldn't even set a deadline anymore. Even some large-scale provocation by the Kremlin could quite plausibly happen within a matter of months."
More details: Tomczyk explained that a great deal depends on how the war in Ukraine unfolds.
Quote: "If this war ends, that's obviously very good, but then it's quite likely that Russia will start rebuilding its potential for the next armed conflict."
More details: Tomczyk said Russia is not currently ready for a confrontation with NATO and would lose such a war.
Quote: "All the more so because we can see that Ukraine has held Russia back – let alone the full potential of the Alliance. We need to be aware of our own strength. To use it, to restore order, to support Ukraine and to keep Russia as far away from us as possible."
Background:
- Leaders of NATO's eastern flank countries recently issued public warnings, citing intelligence indicating that Russia is preparing provocations on their territory.
- Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski had earlier suggested that Russia could organise a false-flag operation using Ukrainian-made drones.
- Media reports indicated earlier that the US had passed on a warning to Warsaw that Moscow is considering an armed provocation against Poland in order to "test NATO's resolve".
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