Visit of Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz to NATO Headquarters
13.02.2025
On February 12-13, 2025, Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz took part in meetings of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) and NATO defence ministers.
The UDCG meeting was the first opportunity for the Allies to consult with the new US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth. The Secretary of Defense publicly recognized the level of Poland's defense spending and called on other countries to follow this example. Support for Ukraine was also discussed during the meeting. It was emphasized that solutions leading to the end of Russia's aggression in Ukraine should bring lasting peace.
During the meeting in Allies-only format defence ministers discussed how to further strengthen NATO deterrence and defence capabilities, ramp up arms production and boost air defence.
The ministers also met in the format of the NATO-Ukraine Council with the participation of the Minister of Defence of Ukraine Rustem Umerov and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. Further possibilities for military and political support for Ukraine were discussed. The inauguration of the NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre (JATEC) in Bydgoszcz, scheduled for February 17, 2025, will be of particular importance in this context.
On the sidelines of the ministerial meeting, Deputy Prime Minister W. Kosiniak-Kamysz held bilateral consultations with his counterparts from Belgium, Latvia and Ukraine. He also took part in the E5 meeting (Poland, France, Germany, UK, Italy) that focuses on transatlantic issues and promotes adequate financing of defense capabilities within the EU.
At the end of his stay at the Headquarters, the Deputy Prime Minister awarded Polish military decorations to the employees of the International Secretariat who had made a special contribution to improving security in our region. Thomas Goffus, Assistant Secretary General for Operations, received the Polish Army Medal in Gold, Jean-Dominique Dulière, former Chair of the Council Operations and Exercises Committee, received the Polish Army Medal in Silver, and Philippe Van Exem, Co-Chair of the Operational Energy Committee, was awarded the Polish Army Medal in Bronze.
Photo credit: NATO, MOD Poland
