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Defence ministers of Poland, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Italy on security in the face of war in Ukraine

25.11.2024

- It is our duty today to state this matter clearly and explicitly. It is imperative that Europe intensifies its efforts to provide assistance to Ukraine, with a particular focus on enhancing its security. Without increased expenditure and awareness of the necessity of such measures within the European public consciousness, the aforementioned measures will prove futile. Without an awareness of the importance of security in the contemporary era. It is our intention to reiterate this message at every opportunity, and it is our commitment as defence ministers to do so. It is of the utmost importance that we fulfil our roles in our countries, as well as in the wider European Union, in our interactions with the United Kingdom and in our friendship with the United States. I would like this to be emphasised, as we have all previously stated in our speeches how important it is for us to maintain relations with the United States, which have been the basis of our civilisation for many years - said Deputy Prime Minister W. Kosiniak-Kamysz following a meeting with defence ministers in Berlin.

On Monday, 25 November, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak - Kamysz convened with defence ministers from Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Italy. The ministers deliberated on the reinforcement of European security and defence in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine.

On Monday, 25 November, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak - Kamysz convened with defence ministers from Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Italy. The ministers deliberated on the reinforcement of European security and defence in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine.

- It is imperative to be prepared for any eventuality. It is imperative that we are prepared for any scenario, even those that may prove most challenging. This meeting serves to reaffirm our allied commitments, for which I am most grateful. It is imperative that we provide support to Ukraine on a daily and weekly basis, as was the objective of our connection with Minister Umierov. It is evident that effective coordination is crucial in the transfer of support to Ukraine. Also, the provision of humanitarian and military aid must be coordinated. (…) Europe must coordinate its actions and adopt a unified approach, and raise the bar for itself in order to become a reliable partner for cooperation with the United States. This is a significant challenge that the defence ministers are facing today, and it is encouraging to see that, thanks to Boris's initiative and Sebastian's support, this meeting has been convened

- the head of the Ministry of Defence subsequently stated.
 
During the meeting, the ministers also discussed military cooperation within the framework of NATO and the European Union, as well as matters pertaining to the collaboration of domestic arms industries, defence spending, and joint initiatives for the security of the region, including the eastern flank of the North Atlantic Alliance.

- We are going to meet in Poland in the early part of next year. This is a good place to discuss the provision of assistance to Ukraine, given that the majority of such aid is routed through Poland. This is an appropriate venue for discussions concerning the security of the NATO eastern flank. This is an appropriate venue for discussions on augmented defence expenditure. Poland currently allocates 4.2% of its GDP to defence spending, with an anticipated increase to 4.7% in the forthcoming year. This makes Poland an ideal location for discussions on the role of Europe and the European Union in collaboration with the United Kingdom. (…) Investment in the arms industry is currently the primary focus of all our countries. (…) It was previously unpopular to discuss the arms industry, yet today, there is a significant expectation for a considerable commitment, which we are well-positioned to fulfil. It is my conviction that Europe is once again in a position to serve as a model for the rest of the world in this endeavour, provided that there is a comprehensive understanding of the situation on the part of all concerned, all citizens included. Without the support of the community, success will be unattainable. Therefore, I would like to request the support of the European community for the efforts of the arms industry, which requires an increase in spending. Following the pandemic, we were able to create a plan. It is now our responsibility to ensure that we can afford to create a plan for peace and to prevent a war that would have global repercussions. It is essential that we are able to afford it

- the Deputy Prime Minister pointed out.

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