In June 13 – 14, 2024, the minister of national defence had taken part in the meeting of NATO countries’ ministers of defence, held in Brussels. It was the last such meeting before the NATO Summit in Washington, D.C., planned for July 9 – 11, 2024.

Speaking of the details regarding the activities of NATO countries in the field of deterrence and defence, the deputy prime minister Kosiniak – Kamysz said that the decisions concerned, among others, the strengthening of allied command centres, including the command centre located in Poland.

When it comes to deterrence and defence (…) crucial objectives were confirmed for the Multinational Corps Northeast in Szczecin. (…) Poland, along with Germany and Sweden, will rotationally take responsibility for the Baltic Sea. I have been arguing for this ever since I have been appointed minister. I have been discussing it with minister Pistorious and with the Swedish minister of defence, and this is the outcome that is being certified by NATO countries. 

- said the Polish minister of national defence.

The minister had also revealed that preliminary capabilities were confirmed for the NATO - Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre in Bydgoszcz.
The Centre in Bydgoszcz is the first project of its kind between NATO and Ukraine. We already have the preliminary readiness for it. We want to confirm its operational readiness at the Summit. Many countries had noted this initiative and declared their willingness to be a part of it.

- said the Polish minister of national defence 

On Polish initiative, a Letter of Intent was signed regarding the formal joining of the armored capabilities coalition, which concerns the support for Ukraine. Poland, along with Germany and Italy, is a leading country on this issue. The aim of the coalition is to meet the needs of Ukraine in two areas: the support in the ongoing operations, and the shaping of the final model of Ukrainian armoured and mechanized units, compatible with NATO.

Ukraine needs armoured and heavy equipment to defend its independence, and we need the success of Ukraine to stop Russia. (…). I see this ceremony as another sign of our solidarity in the support of Ukraine. In this case, with regards to armoured and heavy capabilities (…). It is especially important now, when the aggressor’s pressure is truly strong, and the aim of Russia remains unchanged – to destroy independent Ukraine and prevent it from joining European and Transatlantic organizattions.

- said the Polish minister of national defence after the signing of the Letter.

Thirteen countries had joined this coalition. Poland, along with Germany and Italy, is its co-leader (…). There are already first results of the coalition’s actions – dozens of tanks and hundreds of armoured vehicles have already been delivered (…) to support Ukraine. The other domain and area of the coalition’s activities is the repair of equipment. This is a major issue today

- observed the Polish minister of national defence 

The Partnership for Peace Consortium Letter of Intent was also signed, combining 800 universities and research institutes interested in the topic of security on the 25th anniversary of its existence. It contains the obligation to maintain academic cooperation and a goal of „intellectual interoperability” between allies and partner countries. Poland is represented in the Consortium by the Polish Naval Academy. The Consortium is comprised of hundreds of universities, mostly military ones, and spans 60 countries, all of which exchange experiences. It is an important training initiative showing our capabilities and means in this regard.

- informed the Polish minister of national defence 

As the Polish minister of national defence noted, the other topics discussed were hybrid warfare and the defence of NATO’s eastern flank. The deputy prime minister informed the allies about the „Shield East” project. 

This is our national initiative, national deterrence and defence programme. Fortifications, engineering defenses, anti-drone systems and surveillance are all parts of it, but we wish to do it all in cooperation with the Baltic states. (…) It is about the exchange of experiences, the coordiantion of actions, and cooperation in the area of ensuring security at the border. (…). I have discussed the current situation at the Polish-Belarussian border with our allies. It is being confirmed more and more often that the nature of the operation conducted by Belarus against Poland has changed. These are attack groups. These are groups that do not wish to cross the border, but attack it, and by extension attack the Polish border guards, soldiers and police officers. I have made it clear to our NATO partners.

- Polish minister of national defence said.

The presence of American Patriot systems has been personally confirmed by the US Secretary of Defence. Nothing changes in the presence of US troops in Poland, and how the Jasionka airport is defended. We have that confirmation. Another important piece of information is that the Polish Patriot systems will also remain in Poland, since there were some who wished to spread fake news on this issue. It can be plainly seen that disinformation and information warfare is rife today. The presence of American troops and equipment and the durability of that presence have been confirmed.

- the Polish minister of national defence said at the NATO Headquarters.

While at NATO Headquarters, the deputy prime minister has discussed matters of security and bilateral cooperation with Greek minister of defence Nikos Dendias, Swedish minister of defence Pål Jonson, Italian minister of defence Guido Crosetto, the Latvian minister of defence Andris Sprūds and the Finnish minister of defence Antti Häkkän. Italy is an important NATO partner for us. Italy supports Poland. They participate in the Air Policing mission. They help with securing Polish skies. I have received a declaratuon from the Italian minister of defence that they will continue this mission and wish to cooperate further in this area. (…) They will contine to defend the security of Polish airspace, participating in the Air Policing mission.

- said the deputy prime minister Kosiniak – Kamysz after meeting the Italian minister of defence.