Duda: Poland is ready to continue transferring weapons to Ukraine

25 September, 2023 Polish PT-91 Twardy tank. Photo: 2nd Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Poland Polish President Andrzej Duda has supported further arms transfers to Ukraine.

According to him, Poland is ready to supply Ukraine with old military equipment, after replacing it with the new one. In such a way the Polish President commented on Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki's statement about the suspension of arms supplies to Kyiv. Duda said that after consultations with the Prime Minister, they both agreed that the transfer of any new equipment to Ukraine was "out of the question," he was quoted as saying by Super Express.

Andrzej Duda, President of Poland.

Photo from open sources

"I took the Prime Minister's statement quite differently. Perhaps because I have recently spoken with him, among other things, about the transfer of equipment to Ukraine. We both said that it is out of the question to transfer new equipment that we are currently buying, such as K9 howitzers or K2 tanks," he said.

Duda emphasized that this new equipment should serve to strengthen the Polish army.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. Photo from open sources

At the same time, he noted that this does not mean that Poland will not transfer weapons to Ukraine at all. "When old equipment is replaced with modern equipment, I have no problem sending it to Ukrainians," Duda said.

BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle of the Polish Armed Forces.

Photo credits: Polish Ministry of Defense

He added that we should not draw too far-reaching conclusions. "We have to control our emotions, because let's remember who will benefit the most if Poland and Ukraine break up. The consequences could be tragic." As previously reported, even before the full-scale Russian invasion, Poland began helping Ukraine build up its defense capabilities.

First of all, Poland supplied the Ukrainian military with armored vehicles, artillery, aircraft, and air defense systems.

Warsaw also provided Kyiv with various small arms, ammunition, as well as other military equipment.