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Polish defence minister says opposition call to halt EU aid to Ukraine threatens national security

14.07.2026 14:15
Poland's defence minister on Tuesday said remarks by a senior opposition politician calling for the European Union to suspend support for Ukraine endangered Poland's national security, warning that Russia's war against its neighbour was far from over.
Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.Photo: PAP/Marcin Obara

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz criticised comments made by Przemysław Czarnek, deputy leader of the conservative opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party and its candidate for prime minister.

Speaking on Monday, Czarnek said Poland should use its position in the European Union and NATO to pressure Ukraine into changing its policies toward Poland.

He also argued that the EU should suspend funding for Ukraine's military and postwar reconstruction until Kyiv adopted what he called "pro-human values."

"What Mr. Czarnek is saying—that the European Union should stop supporting Ukraine while it is fighting a war—is very dangerous," Kosiniak-Kamysz told reporters.

"It threatens the security of the Polish state and of Europe as a whole," he added, noting that Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine was continuing.

"The war has not ended. Bombs are still falling, ballistic missiles are striking Kyiv, people are dying, and Russia is making advances," he said.

Kosiniak-Kamysz accused the PiS party of shifting its position on Ukraine in an effort to compete with far-right politician Grzegorz Braun, leader of the ultranationalist Confederation of the Polish Crown party.

"For them, Poland's interests and Poland's security are no longer the priority," he said. "The only thing that matters is staying ahead of Mr. Braun."

He added that PiS risked undermining its remaining credibility by adopting more hardline rhetoric for short-term political gain.

Conservative leader says military aid for Ukraine 'absolutely necessary'

Later on Tuesday, PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński sought to distance the party from Czarnek's remarks.

In a post on X, Kaczyński said PiS had always supported military assistance for Ukraine, including aid provided through the European Union.

"Military assistance for Ukraine is absolutely necessary," he wrote. "It is a key issue from the perspective of Poland's national interest and our security."

Kaczyński added that Czarnek's comments would be reviewed by the party leadership.

Czarnek has previously said that Poland had a "moral duty" to urge European and world leaders to stop what he described as "the resurgence of Nazi ideology" in Ukraine.

Critics said he used language that closely echoed justifications Russia used for its 2022 invasion of Ukraine and which much of the international community rejected as disinformation.

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Source: IAR, PAP