Poland now offers the German anti-aircraft system to Ukraine

• Charlotte Waaijers

  corresponding Germany

It seemed like a step towards greater collaboration, but after a few days the satisfaction has already been exchanged for discomfort. After Germany offered Poland an anti-aircraft system on Monday, Poland is now offering that system to Ukraine. It puts further pressure on already strained relations between Poland and Germany.

The reason for the German offer was the rocket attack on Poland near the border with Ukraine, which killed two Poles. While there are many indications that this was an accidental exit from the Ukrainian anti-aircraft system, concern was growing in Poland that the war might spill over the border. One of the ways to arm yourself against this is to strengthen airspace security.

On Monday, German Defense Minister Lambrecht struck deals with his Polish counterpart Blaszczak on the joint defense of Polish airspace. Part of that deal was Germany’s offer to supply a Patriot anti-aircraft system. With the added benefit for Germany of a possible improvement in relations with Poland. The Polish minister then accepted that offer “with pleasure”.

All the more striking is the change that has been taking place in Poland since yesterday. First was Deputy Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, considered by many to be Poland’s most powerful man, who is said to have said it would be better for Poland’s security if Germany supplied the patriots directly to Ukraine.

Subsequently, Minister Blaszczak also thought it was a good idea to place the anti-aircraft system directly in Ukraine. “Following further rocket attacks from Russia, I have turned to Germany to deploy the proposed patriots to Ukraine on its western border. This will avoid Ukrainian casualties and blackouts and improve security on our eastern border,” the minister said on Twitter. Polish Prime Minister Morawiecki confirmed this today and the reaction in Ukraine has been positive.

There was no immediate enthusiasm from Germany for the breakthrough, but there was no outright rejection either. “They are patriots foreseen under NATO’s joint air defense programme. That is why we could offer them to Poland,” said Minister Lambrecht, referring to the fact that Poland is a member of NATO and Ukraine is not. “Proposals that deviate from this must first be discussed with NATO and allies.”

However, the chances of NATO deploying its assets against Russia directly in Ukraine appear remote. So far the alliance has backed out because it wants to prevent further escalation of the war. Additionally, the deployment of each Patriot system also requires 90 locally trained military personnel.

The chairman of the German parliament’s defense committee, Strack-Zimmermann, therefore believes that the German offer was actually intended for Poland itself, and not for NATO. “Remarkable, how people can talk next to each other like that,” he says.

It is not clear why the Poles had initially accepted the German proposal and then rejected it. The Polish opposition is counting on the internal political interests of PiS, the governing party of Blaszczak, Morawiecki and Kaczynski. Next year there will be elections in Poland and often Germany has to pay for the PiS. According to the party, the neighboring country poses a threat to Polish sovereignty.

History plays an important role in this difficult relationship between the two countries. Poland was one of the biggest victims of the Germans in WWII. The Polish government also believes that Germany is delaying the supply of heavy weapons to Ukraine too much.

Speaking on Rmf.fm radio, former Polish President Komorowski, an opponent of PiS, said today: ‘It is difficult to accept German help and at the same time in politics to spit on Germany whenever possible, almost accusing it of aggressive intent. against Poland..” The twist would be a way out, a way for the government to reject the German offer without saying it out loud.

The Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza already lashed out at the government on Tuesday. “And now, Mr. Kaczynski? Germany offers us modern missile defense systems for the defense of Polish airspace. Does it not interfere with our internal affairs?”

We cannot accept it, the newspaper continues sarcastically. “May Berlin, despite the persistent anti-German campaign of the PiS government, now show itself a friend and faithful ally of our country, offering us help in our time of need”.