Poland and Germany will jointly create a rapid reaction force on the eastern border of the European Union, the two countries' defence ministers announced on March 18 at a joint news conference. On March 26, Poland and Germany will activate an “armor capability coalition” for Ukraine.

Polish Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Poland Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (R) and German Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius (L) during a press conference after the meeting at the Representative Center of the Ministry of National Defense in Helenów near Pruszków. Photo by PAP/Paweł Supernak

Tank coalition

“On March 26, we are activating as co-leaders, Poland and Germany, the armor capability coalition for support of Ukraine,” the Polish Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said. “It is one of the most important coalitions that have been established; we are the two leading countries of this project, other partners have signed up for it, such as Great Britain, Sweden, and Italy,” he added. "I would like to thank the Minister for his contribution to the NATO - Ukraine Training, Education and Training Center in Bydgoszcz. This is the first tangible initiative of this kind. This is a structure that is being built and brings Ukraine closer to NATO. Germany will participate in this project. I would also like to thank German soldiers for their participation in the Dragon 24 exercise", said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz during a joint press conference.

"I am very much looking forward to trusting and friendly cooperation. This is very important. We see Poland as an extremely important partner and friend. Poland is a central partner in the security and defense policy in Central and Eastern Europe," said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius during the meeting in Poland.

The Polish-German rapid reaction force

Speaking at a joint news conference in Helenów near Warsaw, the two ministers said that 2,500 Polish troops and 2,500 German soldiers should be ready for deployment to the eastern flank of the European Union by July 2024. "These are the forces that fulfill the tasks of the strategic compass," said the head of the Polish Defense Ministry.

"This is a very good signal of cooperation, friendship and partnership. Thinking about what to do today to help Ukraine and acting for the security of Europe and NATO's eastern flank, the security of our future. This is a fundamental issue. Our cooperation today, within the European Union, within NATO, is the foundation related to the security of Europe, the foundation of our democratic achievements, civilizational achievements, principles and values, where individual life and the rule of law are the basis. This is a foundation that we will develop and strengthen. We talked about very specific issues of cooperation between our countries in the military and political dimension" - emphasized the Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense after the meeting with Minister Boris Pistorius.

(J)