On Friday, October 2, the head of the Ministry of National Defense, together with the defense ministers of Lithuania and Ukraine, participated in the celebration of the 5th anniversary of the LITPOLUKRBRIG multinational brigade.

- The essence of cooperation is best reflected in the slogan presented by the brigade commander "three nations - one vision". Indeed, this term focuses on the task facing the Brigade, and also the task that lies before us - the ministers of national defense. This cooperation is good for the security of our countries and brings real and tangible benefits - said the Polish minister during the ceremony.

During the visit, the defense ministers of Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine took part in a briefing with the command of the brigade. The heads of defense ministries were acquainted with the tasks of the unit and future plans for training, exercises and cooperation with other military units. The LITPOLUKRBRIG brigade is constantly developing. Its functioning is a great example of harmonious, fast and effective cooperation of the three nations. It is also an example of the development of joint defense capabilities.

- When Russia attacked Georgia in 2008, then the presidents of our three countries, but also other Baltic countries, namely Latvia and Estonia, went together to the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi. Then the late President Lech Kaczyński, President Adamkus and President Yushchenko jointly and in solidarity supported the president of Georgia, saying that Georgia was attacked by Russia. The late President Lech Kaczyński said: today Georgia, tomorrow Ukraine, the day after tomorrow the Baltic states, and then Poland. It was a very strong, resolute manifesto against the resurgent Russian Empire and against the attacks on independent states - emphasized the head of the Polish Ministry of National Defense.

The functioning of the Multinational Brigade, with its headquarters in Lublin, shows how fruitful the cooperation between Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine is, especially in its military dimension.
Minister Mariusz Błaszczak emphasized that we must strive to ensure that the armies of our countries are as strong as possible, that they are trained as well as possible and that they cooperate with each other in the best possible way.

- Poland and Lithuania are in the North Atlantic Alliance. Together, we care for the security of the entire eastern flank of NATO. The format with Ukraine is exactly the one we are dealing with right here in Lublin. For our countries to be safe, we must take care of security on a daily basis - this is what happens in Poland. Poland's security is also evidenced by the fact of signing an agreement on enhanced cooperation with the United States, so we are consistently building Poland's security system, the security system of NATO's eastern flank and - through local cooperation – also the security system with neighboring countries - said Mariusz Błaszczak.

During the anniversary of the multinational brigade, the minister thanked the officers and soldiers serving in the brigade for their commitment, service and, above all, for their special openness to everyday, and solidary, cooperation. Minister Mariusz Błaszczak presented medals to the soldiers serving in LITPOLUKRBRIG for outstanding achievements in international cooperation.

Andrij Taran, the Minister of Defense of Ukraine participating in the event mentioned that the creation of the brigade was a breakthrough event of fraternal cooperation between Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania. This is of particular importance today, when the Russian Federation is waging war against Ukraine. Immediately after the end of the LITPOLUKRBRIG anniversary celebrations, a bilateral meeting of the ministers of Poland and Ukraine was organized.

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Lithuanian-Polish-Ukrainian Brigade (LITPOLUKRBRIG) bearing the name of the Great Hetman Konstanty Ostrogski is an international military unit comprised of soldiers from three countries. The agreement on its creation was signed on September 19, 2014 in Warsaw. The brigade reached the so-called Initial Operational Capability and after intensive, one-year training, in January 2017 it reached the so-called Full Operational Capability. The headquarters of the command and staff of the Brigade is located in Lublin (Poland). LITPOLUKRBRIG battalions are on standby in their respective countries and are deployed within the frame of LITPOLUKRBRIG in case a decision is made to activate the Brigade or any of its elements.