Poland should not exclude the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine, stated Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski in comments published on Tuesday. The Minister however did not specify what role Polish troops might play.
While NATO have committed to providing financial and military aid to support Ukraine, they have generally avoided the direct deployment of soldiers. However, Sikorski suggested maintaining ambiguity about potential troop involvement, saying, “We shouldn’t rule it out. We should leave Putin guessing as to our intentions.”
These comments were published in Poland’s Gazeta Wyborcza, Italy’s La Repubblica, and Spain’s El Pais.
French President Emmanuel Macron has previously indicated a willingness to send troops to Ukraine, suggesting at a Paris conference on February 26 that Western troops could assist by training Ukrainian forces within Ukraine.
Sikorski has also mentioned that the presence of NATO troops in Ukraine is “not unthinkable.” This statement aligns with recent developments where Ukraine’s top commander announced the approval of French military instructors visiting Ukrainian training centers soon.
The context for these discussions comes as Russia gains ground in Ukraine following Kyiv’s 2023 counter-offensive, which achieved little in overcoming well-entrenched Russian positions. Ukraine’s efforts rely heavily on the supply of weapons and ammunition that has been hindered. The May 18’th law on mobilization have also indicated lack of manpower. And while not all of Ukraine’s allies are willing to send their forces most are rather willing to send Ukrainian citizens back if their motherland calls them.
