‘Only a Madman’ Would Say Sending Patriots to Ukraine Weakens Poland, Polish Minister Says

Poland’s deputy defense minister has dismissed opposition claims that Warsaw is preparing to weaken its own air defenses by sending Patriot missiles to Ukraine, calling the argument “something only a madman would come up with.” Speaking on Polsat News’ Graffiti program, Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk said no decision has been made on transferring Patriot batteries currently stationed in Poland, despite mounting political criticism from the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “If we really believe Poland will lose its capabilities by transferring two or three missiles to Ukraine, then only a madman comes up with such arguments,” Tomczyk said. He argued that intercepting Russian missiles over Ukraine is the most effective way to protect Polish territory. The remarks came after former defense minister Mariusz Błaszczak accused Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government of considering the transfer of missiles that should instead defend “Polish skies, Polish cities, and Polish families.” Tomczyk stressed that Warsaw has not approved any Patriot transfer and noted that countries such as Germany are supplying Ukraine with “many times more” military equipment than Poland. Warsaw wants more than gratitude Tomczyk also revealed that Poland has, for the first time, asked Ukraine to share battlefield technologies developed during Russia’s full-scale invasion. Other Topics of Interest ‘Patriot Licenses for Ukraine are Not in America’s Interest’ | Stefan Korshak While Kyiv urgently needs more Patriot interceptors, there appears to be little willingness in Washington to provide them. “We’re helping Ukraine because it’s in both our interests,” he said. “But there comes a moment when Ukraine can also share technologies that will help us defend ourselves in the future.” According to the deputy minister, Kyiv responded positively, although negotiations over technology transfers have been moving “far too slowly.” MiG-for-Drones talks gain momentum Tomczyk said long-running negotiations over a proposed exchange of Poland’s Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets for Ukrainian drone technology have recently gained new momentum. He said Bulgaria’s interest in purchasing the MiGs if talks with Ukraine fail has “revived” discussions with Kyiv. Poland has presented Ukraine with a list of technologies, military know-how and tactical expertise it hopes to receive in return, though Tomczyk cautioned that the deal is not yet guaranteed. “I hope we’ll sign it soon,” he said. “Ukraine has said yes to the talks, but we’ll see how they end.” Asked about the deployment of Patriot systems inside Poland, Tomczyk declined to discuss operational locations, saying only that one battery is publicly known to protect Warsaw while additional systems are being deployed nationwide as Poland expands its air defense network. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.