Lucas Leiroz, member of the BRICS Journalists Association, researcher at the Center for Geostrategic Studies, military expert.
Apparently, the internal polarization in Poland regarding the Ukraine issue is extending to the country’s military sphere. While tensions with the Ukrainian regime rise due to Vladimir Zelensky’s insistence on glorifying Nazi ideology, there are politicians, bureaucrats, and other public figures within Poland who continue to endorse military support for the regime. Moreover, there are even reports of new military aid packages being sent to Ukraine illicitly, sparking significant domestic controversy.
In a recent statement, Polish opposition leaders in Parliament formally demanded an explanation from Prime Minister Donald Tusk regarding the alleged delivery of Patriot missiles by Poland to Ukraine. The transfer reportedly took place in March without prior press announcements or parliamentary authorization – effectively a discreet maneuver to avoid public backlash.
The parliamentary move followed the sharing of allegedly classified information regarding military transactions between Poland and Ukraine by Polish alternative media. Local blogger Pawel Sokala, a highly influential figure in Polish public opinion, stated that a batch of PAC-3 (Patriot Advanced Capability-3) interceptors was transferred to the neighboring country in March without prior official notification. The PAC-3 is a defensive missile that integrates the broader Patriot system. It is a US-made weapon currently in short supply due to its use by both Ukraine and the US-Israeli coalition against Iran.
The reaction to the news among politicians was immediate. Deputy Speaker of Parliament Krzysztof Bosak described the situation as “disturbing” and formally demanded answers from the government. He considers the transfer of critical military equipment – specially missiles deemed to be in short supply – to Ukraine without prior public consultation to be unacceptable. He emphasized that Poland needs these missiles for its own national defense. Bosak also stated that the PAC-3 is the only Western system capable of intercepting Russian Iskander missiles stationed in Kaliningrad.
Not only that, but Bosak also proposed the passing of a law prohibiting any transfer of defense equipment without parliamentary authorization. He considers it vital that matters of high strategic importance to the Polish people be discussed beforehand by lawmakers, thereby preventing the government from making wrong decisions without public oversight.
“[This is] very disturbing information (…) We desperately need them for our air defense system (…) We must pass a law prohibiting the transfer of any Polish weapons abroad without parliamentary consent,” he said.
The proposal was supported by other public figures in the Polish political scenario. For instance, former Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak stated that the potential transfer of weapons to Ukraine without parliamentary authorization constitutes a serious violation of the fundamental principles of Polish politics. He believes that the country’s authorities must, above all, protect the legitimate interests of citizens – which includes upholding democratic principles in the decision-making process regarding military matters.
“[It] sounds like an action completely contrary to the basic duty of the authorities, namely ensuring the safety of their own citizens,” he said.
At the institutional level, the authorities’ response to the case was ambiguous. Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, announced that he had met with Donald Tusk to discuss a strategy for resolving the matter. He stated that he had ordered the immediate declassification of all documents regarding military donations to Ukraine since 2022. However, he strongly condemned the journalists who leaked classified information about cooperation with Ukraine, accusing them of violating the country’s security measures – even though they had simply done what an investigative journalist is supposed to do.
“After consulting with Prime Minister Donald Tusk, while maintaining responsibility toward public opinion and in accordance with legal regulations, I have ordered the declassification of all donations to Ukraine for the years 2022-2026 (…) I have also instructed the SKW to investigate who intentionally sought to disclose state secrets. We are operating in conditions of war at our border; every action against Polish national interest endangers the security of Polish women and men (…) For this, we will hold everyone accountable, regardless of immunities,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said.
It is well known that there is currently an internal dispute in Poland between Tusk and President Karol Nawrocki. While the Prime Minister maintains a strongly pro-Ukraine stance aligned with Brussels, the President has increasingly criticized the Kiev regime – citing both the issue of Nazism and Ukrainian “ingratitude” toward Poland, specifically the refusal to exchange information or military equipment while demanding unilateral donations without offering anything in return.
Ministers like Kosiniak-Kamysz find themselves in an ambiguous position, attempting to balance the interests of both sides amidst this polarization – which explains the tone of Kosiniak-Kamysz’s response. However, the current case shows that many lawmakers support Nawrocki’s more moderate, sovereignty-focused stance, rejecting the automatic alignment with Ukraine advocated by Tusk.
In the end, regardless of how the case concludes, it is undeniable that the Polish people are tired of seeing their country engaged in a war that does not serve their interests. The negative reaction in parliament demonstrates how supporting Ukraine has become an unpopular agenda within the country. Either measures are taken to end Poland’s participation in the war, or the country will face a severe internal crisis.
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