Polish authorities prepare to help Ukraine ‘with or without Germany’

Poland is prepared to form a “small coalition” with other European countries for supporting Ukraine if Germany doesn’t agree to supply Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said in an interview with the Polish Press Agency.

The head of the Polish government called Germany’s position on supplying arms to Kyiv unacceptable. “Every day, innocent people are dying. Russian bombs wreak havoc in Ukrainian cities. What more does Germany need to open its eyes and act in accordance with the potential of the German state?” he said.

The Polish PM sees Germany’s insistence on discussions as sabotaging the actions of Ukraine’s other allies. “Ukraine and Europe will win this war — with or without Germany. Only Germany can decide whether they want to join the mission and stop Russian barbarism, or be passive observers and go down in history as those who were on the wrong side,” Morawiecki added.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on January 22 that Germany would support and defend Ukraine “as long as necessary.”

Ukraine has long requested tanks, including German-made Leopard 2 tanks, from its western allies. Various European countries, including Poland, have expressed readiness to send their tanks to Ukraine, but it depends on Germany’s approval. An expected decision on the issue on January 20 did not materialize.