Poland has begun preparations to join a group of European countries within the so-called coalition of the willing, Deputy Defence Minister Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka said on RMF radio.
According to her, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom agreed with Ukraine in July to create a joint defence architecture designed to counter ballistic missile attacks.
Sobkowiak-Czarnecka said the current stage is focused on production. Polish arms companies were due to meet at 11:00 to discuss preparations for the country’s potential entry into the anti-ballistic coalition.
She added that Prime Minister Donald Tusk had already instructed manufacturers to begin preparations for possible Polish participation. The final decision on whether Poland joins the coalition will also be taken by the prime minister.
Russia has repeatedly said that weapons deliveries to Ukraine complicate prospects for a peaceful settlement and directly involve NATO countries in the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has also stated that Moscow would regard any shipments carrying weapons for Ukraine as legitimate targets.