Poland Joins Ukraine-Led Air-Defense Coalition

Poland has joined an air-defense coalition established by Ukraine and nine European countries, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on Friday.

The initiative, launched in July, includes plans to jointly develop a new anti-ballistic missile system as a cheaper alternative to the US Patriot system. “From today, Poland is part of this major project ... we agreed on the forms and frameworks of this cooperation”, Tusk said in a video posted on X.

His announcement came after a summit in western Ukraine of a new regional grouping of eight Carpathian countries launched by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Tusk also announced a new “significant” aid package for Ukraine, without providing further details. Poland must continue to support Ukraine in its war against Russian aggression, he said, adding that historical disputes must not divide the two countries in their confrontation with Russia.

Following bilateral talks with Tusk at the summit, Zelensky thanked Poland for the new aid package.

“Ukraine and Poland are strong neighbors, friends, and partners, and we have one common enemy”, Zelensky said on Telegram.

(Reuters, max)