Poland is accelerating its military build-up as concerns grow over potential Russian actions against NATO countries. Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said Warsaw is treating recent warnings from US and NATO military leaders as a serious security signal.
The minister referred to comments by General Alexus Grynkewich, the senior US and NATO commander in Europe, who warned publicly that a large-scale provocation could occur within the coming months.
“We take all of these reports very seriously,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said. “That is why the government has made decisions on the largest arms and military modernisation programme in Poland’s history, implemented in the shortest possible timeframe. This is the SAFE programme.”
The SAFE initiative is intended to accelerate the modernisation, expansion and re-equipment of the Polish Armed Forces at a time when security risks in Central and Eastern Europe are increasing.
Kosiniak-Kamysz also warned that Russia continues to use hybrid tools against Poland and other Western countries. These include disinformation, cyber operations, psychological pressure and attempts to influence public opinion.
“Hybrid and cognitive warfare remain part of the activity of the Russian Federation and its allies,” he said. “These actions are directed against Poland and other countries of the West.”
Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said Poland and its allies are aware of possible Russian plans and should make clear that Moscow will face consequences for any escalation.
“Our message to Vladimir Putin is simple: we know what you are planning, so do not do it,” Sikorski said.
He added that Russia had previously used false-flag incidents as a pretext for aggression, pointing to developments before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
“Such regimes often operate in this way,” Sikorski said, referring to attempts to manufacture a justification for military action.
According to reports by Onet, later confirmed by The Telegraph, the United States recently warned Poland about the risk of a Russian provocation. Possible scenarios reportedly include drone or missile attacks targeting critical infrastructure on Polish territory.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk also addressed the issue during a press conference on Friday. He said he had been criticised in the past for raising warnings about Russian threats, but argued that similar assessments are now being voiced by intelligence services and military institutions across the West.
Tusk said Poland is preparing intensively for a range of potential scenarios and stressed that the coming months could be especially important as the nature of the war in Ukraine continues to evolve.
“I do not intend to frighten anyone,” the prime minister said. “But the next few months may be truly critical, particularly for the Baltic states.”
Poland has become one of NATO’s leading defence spenders in recent years, expanding its armed forces, purchasing new equipment and reinforcing military cooperation with the United States and other allies. The government sees rapid defence modernisation as a key element of deterrence against Russia and a necessary response to the increasingly unstable security environment in the region.
