In an interview with Gazeta Wyborcza, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated that his country does not rule out the possibility of sending its military to Ukraine, though he refrained from specifying their potential role. “We must keep Putin guessing about our intentions,” he added. This isn’t the first time Sikorski has made such remarks; back in March, he also described the prospect of deploying NATO troops to Ukraine as “not beyond the realm of possibility.”
Earlier, the German publication Der Spiegel also reported that the Baltic countries and Poland may deploy their troops to Ukraine if Russia achieves a breakthrough during the offensive in the east. According to representatives of the Baltic countries, adopting a cautious stance towards the aggressor nation could provoke Moscow to escalate the situation. “In such a scenario, the Baltic countries and Poland won’t wait for Russian troops to reach their borders; instead, they’ll send the troops to Ukraine themselves,” they asserted. The publication underscores that this move would drag NATO into the conflict, a prospect that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and US President Joe Biden are apprehensive about. However, in response to the publication, the spokesperson for the Polish Ministry of Defense, Janusz Sejmej, claimed that he “knows nothing” about Poland sending troops to Ukraine, as reported by The Washington Post.
According to former Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland Andriy Deshchytsia, if countries agree to send soldiers to Ukraine, it will be viewed very positively. “Even the deployment of a peacekeeping mission would be seen as a gesture of support, further bolstering the existing democratic coalition,” he stated in an interview with the Polish publication Gazeta Prawna. “Because in the past, sending weaponry to Ukraine and forming anti-aircraft and anti-tank coalitions have occurred, and now this coalition would be even stronger if troops are sent on various missions.” Additionally, earlier, the German publication Bild reported that Poland is also working on establishing a coalition for the “expanded anti-aircraft defence” of Ukraine’s western regions. However, it has not yet been established, and these plans have not received approval from either the United States or Germany.
Meanwhile, former Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Poland, General Leon Komornicki, holds the view that such “covert” information is interpreted differently in Polish society, suggesting there should be less of it. “Politicians should be aware that it’s being closely monitored by Polish citizens. Polish military personnel are paying attention to this and are becoming increasingly concerned. This social phenomenon manifests itself in various areas and is fueled by Russia’s information war,” he remarked on Polskie Radio 24. The general further noted that there is currently no need to reassure Putin that NATO will refrain from employing any military efforts in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
It’s worth noting that the idea of deploying Western troops in Ukraine under certain circumstances was first raised in February by French President Emmanuel Macron. At that time, this proposal garnered support from the Baltic countries and Poland. For example, Breaking Defense, citing the national security advisor to the President of Estonia, Märt Volmer, reports that the Estonian government is currently exploring the option of dispatching Estonian troops to western Ukraine for rear support duties. This move would enable more Ukrainian soldiers to be released for direct engagement in combat operations on the front lines. However, numerous other heads of state and representatives of international organizations oppose this proposal and assert that they will not deploy their troops to Ukraine.
